Policy

Under current law, more than one million Americans with lifelong disabilities who receive benefits as ‘Disabled Adult Children’ (DACs) lose their Social Security and Medicare benefits if they marry a non-disabled person. This can severely limit disabled individuals from having access to lives of their choosing, including marriage. People shouldn’t have to choose between marriage to the person they love and losing their benefits.

What Does the Bill Do?

The Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act includes the following key provisions:

• Eliminates the requirement that a DAC beneficiary remain unmarried to receive Social Security benefits
• Ensures that DAC benefits are not revoked upon marriage
• Modifies Social Security’s rules regarding common law marriages
• Protects Supplement Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid eligibility for DACs who marry a non-disabled person

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At Disability Belongs™, eliminating barriers to work and advancing competitive, integrated employment (CIE) is one of our top policy priorities. We are committed to ensuring all workers are valued and paid fairly in inclusive workplaces. The path to fair wages and inclusive employment for disabled workers is a challenging one, but with your continued support we can help make it a reality. That starts with legislation that ensures all employees be compensated fairly and equitably.

Last session, Disability Belongs worked to advance the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA), a bold step toward ending subminimum wages for disabled workers by eliminating 14(c) certificates nationwide and promoting CIE. Despite our advocacy and the incredible support of our larger network, TCIEA didn’t make it through the legislative process in the 118th Congress. However, some of its key provisions were incorporated into a larger funding bill, called a continuing resolution, near the end of last session that would have also reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA is a landmark law that connects job seekers with education, training, and support services while linking employers with skilled workers.

Unfortunately, Congress did not reauthorize WIOA as part of the continuing resolution. Instead, a stopgap version of the funding bill was passed, excluding key provisions from both TCIEA and WIOA. Now, as we move into the 119th Congress, the future of these critical pieces of legislation remains uncertain. [continue reading…]

What are ABLE Accounts?

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Established more than a decade ago, ABLE accounts are savings and/or investment options which allow qualified individuals with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without losing eligibility for Social Security and other government benefits. Medicaid eligibility is retained regardless of the account balance. Interest earned is tax-free. [continue reading…]

For tens of thousands of Americans with disabilities, working a full day for less than a dollar an hour is a harsh reality. But it’s one that we have the power to change.

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) H.R.1263 and S.533 is a landmark piece of legislation that aims to create a more equitable workforce for people with disabilities. Its primary goal is to end the outdated practice of paying subminimum wages to persons with disabilities through sheltered workshops that operate under Section 14 (c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This provision allows employers to obtain a 14(c) certificate, permitting them to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.

Sheltered workshops often isolate disabled people from the rest of the workforce. According to a 2023 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, more than half of these workers earn less than $3.50 per hour, with some making as little as $0.25 per hour. This practice affects approximately 42,000 persons with disabilities across the United States. The TCIEA seeks to change this by creating pathways for persons with disabilities to transition into competitive, integrated employment, where they can receive equal pay and access real opportunities for job development, training, and career advancement. [continue reading…]

When most people think about going to the polls to vote, they aren’t thinking about accessibility. But for the 61 million Americans with disabilities, accessibility is always on their minds.

The Current Landscape

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local governments and elected officials to ensure that people with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote in all elections. However, a study by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) during and after the 2022 elections found that 14% of voters with disabilities – approximately 2.2 million people – experienced difficulties voting. The EAC study concluded that if people with disabilities voted at the same rate as those without, there would be around two million more voters. [continue reading…]

In today’s job market, assembling a diverse and inclusive workforce is more crucial than ever. One effective way for employers to achieve this is by teaming up with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that assist job seekers with disabilities. These partnerships not only improve hiring processes but also uplift local communities by creating better job opportunities for underrepresented groups, as people with disabilities often have trouble finding and keeping meaningful employment.

What is a Talent Partner?

A talent partner is an organization that works alongside employers to help identify, develop, and place job seekers in various roles. Talent partners can include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies dedicated to making a difference through employment. By collaborating with these organizations, businesses can access a broader range of candidates, which ultimately leads to a more inclusive work environment. [continue reading…]

According to Forbes, more than 50% of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants would like to work again, but they fear losing their important financial and healthcare benefits, such as Medicare. This is a very valid fear, as it can often take a long time to navigate the SSDI system. According to USAFacts, the national average wait time for the first decision is 7 months, 15 days. The national approval rate for the initial application is around 38% which means most people get denied on their first try and need to appeal the decision. And the entire process can take three years or more.

Fortunately, there is a program available that acts as a safety net to help people on SSDI ease their way into the workforce without a fear of losing their benefits: the Ticket to Work program. The Ticket to Work program is a U.S. Social Security Administration initiative that helps people with disabilities find and keep employment while maintaining their Social Security benefits. The free, voluntary program is available in all 50 states.

Eligible individuals can use a “ticket” to access various employment services from approved providers. The program offers support such as job training and career counseling, along with work incentives that allow participants to test their ability to work without immediately losing their benefits. The goal is to promote financial independence and self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Assets are defined as the resources you own, including cash, money in checking or savings, cash surrender value, stocks and bonds, cars, and real estate. Under Supplemental Security Income (SSI), individuals cannot exceed an asset cap of $2,000, while married couples have a cap of $3,000.

Overview and Current Status

• Established in 1972: The SSI program was signed into law by Richard Nixon to support older Americans and people with disabilities.
• Unchanged Limits: The caps have not been adjusted since 1984, despite inflation and rising living costs
• Outdated and Harmful: Originally established for eligibility purposes, these caps cause economic hardship for people with disabilities.

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Voting should be a stress-free experience. Most people would probably agree that all aspects of voting, including registering to vote, researching the candidates and issues, and casting a ballot, should be accessible to people with disabilities. And thanks to years of effort from disability advocates, there are more accessible voting options than ever before. But unfortunately, barriers to voting persist for disabled people across America.

When disabled people choose to vote in-person, best practices in accessibility are often not fully utilized due to a lack of training and education. Poll workers are often not trained on how to use accessible voting devices, and some demonstrate microaggressions and implicit biases against voters with disabilities. Many disabled people are unable to drive, and for them, getting transportation to the polling place can be a challenge. [continue reading…]