CW: Poverty
An antiquated policy that keeps disabled people in poverty could be updated. Since 1989, SSI recipients have been allowed to have $2,000 in assets at any given time. Married couples are limited to $3,000.
A report from the NCD shows that specific government programs like Medicaid and SSI and Medicaid cover added expenses that come with having disabilities, including home and community-based services. Unfortunately, the current system is challenging to navigate. In addition, it noted that getting married also impacts eligibility for benefits.
However, a bipartisan Senate proposal would raise asset limitations so that people receiving Supplemental Security Income could save up to $10,000. A New Jersey woman says that while this could be a good thing, it still would make it challenging for disabled people to live in their communities.
Patrice Jetter works part-time, but she relies on programs such as SNAP and Medicaid to help her make ends meet. Jetter needed money for car repairs, but due to asset limits, she couldn’t save up. She didn’t cash her paychecks for a month and walked to work to have the money for the repairs.
Disability benefits are not a livable income for anyone. It’s no surprise that, according to a 2015 NPR article, disabled people are twice as likely as their nondisabled counterparts to live in poverty.
Disabled people should be able to save money just like everyone else. One way to accomplish this is to eliminate the asset limits associated with programs such as Medicaid and SSI. The government shouldn’t make it so difficult for people with disabilities to become financially independent.
Sources:
Diament, Michelle. “Congress Urged to Update SSI Asset Limits.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 27 Nov. 2023, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/11/27/congress-urged-to-update-ssi-asset-limits/30644/.
Fernandes, Deepa, and Ashley Locke. “Asset Limits Are Just One Economic Hurdle People with Disabilities Face .” WBUR, NPR, 27 Nov. 2023, http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/11/27/disability-ssi-senate-bill.