1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor and support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, introduced as S.1234 in the Senate and H.R. 2540 in the House. This legislation would eliminate the outdated asset limits that trap disabled individuals and older adults in poverty. The Supplemental Security Income program currently restricts individuals to just $2,000 in assets and married couples to $3,000. These limits have not been updated since 1989, despite decades of inflation. This means SSI recipients cannot save for emergencies, work even part-time, or afford basic necessities like rental deposits and first month's rent without losing their benefits entirely. The consequences extend beyond financial hardship. Most disabled individuals qualify for Medicaid through SSI eligibility, so losing SSI means losing access to vital healthcare. Without Medicaid, they cannot access Home and Community-Based Services, which provide essential personal care supports that allow people to live in their communities rather than institutions. No other health insurance in the United States covers these services, meaning the $2,000 limit can literally jeopardize survival. The current system also penalizes marriage. Disabled individuals who choose to marry face a combined asset limit of only $3,000, forcing many to choose between their relationship and meeting basic needs. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would raise asset limits to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples, then index these limits to inflation. This would allow disabled individuals and older adults to save for emergencies, work part-time without immediately losing benefits, secure stable housing, and make personal choices like marriage without risking financial hardship. I ask that you co-sponsor this legislation and work to ensure its passage. Your constituents with disabilities and older adults deserve the dignity of saving money and participating in the workforce without being penalized for doing so.