Earlier this week, the National Council on Disability (NCD) called on President Barack Obama to drastically reform certain limits on assets individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must adhere to.
An article from Disability Scoop explains, an individual receiving SSI is not allowed to possess more than $2,000 under the current law. This limit has been in place for almost 25 years. Jeff Rosen, Chairman of the NCD, asked in a letter to the White House that the limit be bumped to $10,000. He also stated stipulations to the law should be added that would allow for fluctuations in the limit based on inflation rates.
The letter goes on to explain how the current limits can work to prevent citizens who receive SSI from saving money, which keeps many living at poverty level. The inability to save, combined with budget cuts and the sequester, has significantly affected the livelihoods of a staggering number of SSI recipients.
The letter also called for the president to ease restrictions on Medicaid coverage by allowing a recipient to keep their policy in certain situations, such as if they move or have an income change.
Newlin Disability and their team of Social Security Disability Attorneys acknowledge the difficulties current limitations can impose on a demographic of citizens who are most in need of assistance. The firm urges anyone considering applying for SSI to discuss their legal rights and options with a qualified attorney first.
