Provide a safety net for SSI disability recipients to work

Health
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Under our current system, having a permanent disability and receiving government benefits becomes a life sentence to poverty with no hope of finding real employment or building assets or a future like everybody else can. Most people just give up trying at all under the current system.

I propose:

  1. Provide a fast track back to SSI/disability benefits in the event of loss of employment.
  2. Increase the amount of assets a person on disability is allowed to an amount that reflects today’s cost of living.

My son has been disabled since birth. As an adult, he went on SSI disability, which provides $941 per month plus medical benefits (hardly enough to live on in today’s economy). He is not allowed to have assets over $2000 or he will lose his disability. If he were able to secure employment, it would disqualify him from benefits and would then take years to get back on disability if he were ever to lose his job.

Most of these restrictions are in place to prevent fraud or prove need, but at what cost?

The majority of disabled people are absolutely not trying to defraud the government and would much rather be working, taking pride in having purpose and having an incentive to earn a paycheck, save money, purchase a home, car, vacation or retirement. They can’t do this for fear of penalty.

We know how difficult it can be to find a job that is a good fit for somebody with disabilities. Many give up on paid employment and find volunteer work in order to remain productive without losing their benefits.

If people who have permanent disabilities had the option to fast-track back onto disability benefits, many would seek employment. This contributes to the economy and saves taxpayer money. It’s a win for the people, the taxpayers, and the right thing to do.

At the very least, the government should re-evaluate the current SSI system and rules to see if the desired outcomes are being met.

11 Likes
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Your thoughtful statement about the challenges facing those on SSI is compelling, and it highlights how current policies surrounding SSI need serious reform to align with the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

For people with disabilities, the SSI system can be an essential lifeline, but too often it creates barriers that keep individuals locked into cycles of poverty, preventing them from achieving self-sufficiency, economic security, and a sense of purpose. The $2,000 asset limit, for instance, is a holdover from decades ago when the cost of living was vastly different. It’s an outdated threshold that discourages saving or planning for any kind of financial emergency and penalizes anyone who tries to work or invest in their own future.

Most people on SSI would much rather be able to work, save, and contribute without fear of losing their benefits. However, the current structure doesn’t account for the unique and often limited job opportunities available to individuals with disabilities. This rigid framework, meant to prevent fraud, ends up stripping people of the basic right to build a life that includes financial security, employment, and self-determination.

The idea of a safety net for disabled workers—a fast-track return to benefits if employment ends—makes practical and economic sense. By enabling people to take on employment without risking their essential benefits, we could tap into an eager and willing workforce. Additionally, by allowing individuals to save and build assets, we empower them to create stability in their lives, which lessens dependency on public assistance long-term.

These reforms would transform the lives of many by providing opportunities to work without penalty, save without fear, and pursue the same American dream that every citizen deserves. For individuals like your son and myself, who want to achieve personal and financial goals despite disability, the SSI system could and should become a pathway to freedom, not a life sentence of poverty.

6 Likes
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Thank you, Greg. I do hope this issue gets attention because disability reform would impact the lives of millions of people, as well as their families and communities. The current system is punitive to those who wish to be contributing members of society and live life to its fullest.

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Although this is not related to freedom cities, I feel that these disability reform policies would aid the “American Standard of Living” topic under the “Economy” category for Trumps Policy Transcript.

https://forum.policiesforpeople.com/t/working-with-the-incoming-administration/14243

It also supports the administrations commitment to empower American families (pg.14):
https://rncplatform.donaldjtrump.com/?_gl=11uw7itv_gcl_au*MTQ5MjQ0OTI4MC4xNzMxODMxMDMy

The Kennedy family has a long history of advocacy for people with disabilities and I truly hope that RFK jr will continue the work in reform that improves the lives of disabled people. I believe this can be done without increased cost to taxpayers if we use common sense and wisdom.

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/john-f-kennedy-and-people-with-intellectual-disabilities

1 Like
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I completely agree with your proposal. As someone who has also been disabled since birth (Cerebral Palsy) and have had disability benefits and regular Social Security benefits combined and having that taken away due to the amount I make at my job, I do think it needs to be looked at again and re done to be able to not only benefit disabled people but older people as well when they get SS.