1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, introduced last year, along with its Senate counterpart bill. This bipartisan legislation would modernize the Supplemental Security Income program for the first time in over four decades by raising outdated asset limits that trap millions in poverty. Under current law, individuals aged 65 or older or those living with disabilities can only access SSI benefits if they have less than $2,000 in assets. Married couples face a combined limit of just $3,000. These thresholds have not been adjusted since 1984, forcing beneficiaries to choose between building financial security and maintaining access to critical benefits. Studies also confirm that these restrictions make it harder for people with disabilities to work part-time or build emergency savings. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would raise asset limits to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples, then permanently index them to inflation. This reform would allow more than 7 million low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities to save responsibly without risking the benefits they depend on for survival. This legislation has earned support from over 200 organizations across the political scope. SSI serves as a lifeline for our nation's poorest seniors and disabled individuals, including more than one million disabled children. Congress established this program to offer a pathway out of poverty, not to trap people in it. I urge you to cosponsor, work with allies and vote for the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act to ensure that beneficiaries can achieve financial stability without sacrificing essential support. Thank you.