End Discrimination Against Individuals with Down Syndrome Today!
We need you to tell your Members of Congress that individuals with Down syndrome deserve to be able to work, save, and earn their way to independence!
Did you know that adults with Down syndrome are told they cannot save their money? In fact, they will be penalized if they ever have assets of more than $2,000!
Just last week NCDSA received yet another phone call from a sister of a 30-year-old man with Down syndrome who she is caring for after their parents’ death. She was asking for help on figuring out his money. He has so many needs, she has her own children to care for, and yet, they are not allowed to “save” his money to buy him a new communication device.
The NCDSA is joining with national organizations such as The Arc, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the National Down Syndrome Congress in telling our Members of Congress that individuals with disabilities deserve to be able to work, save, and earn their way to independence! To date, no North Carolina US Senators or House Members have co-sponsored the bi-partisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S 2767/HR 5408).
Join with us today to ask your senator and representative to co-sponsor and support this update to SSI.
BACKGROUND: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides critical support for millions of people with disabilities to help afford the basics of everyday life, like food and rent.
But SSI has many rules that make it hard for people to save money and get out of poverty. SSI has an asset limit that has not been updated since 1989. Right now, people who get SSI can only have $2,000 in assets, and married couples can only have $3,000. Assets include cash, money in bank accounts, most retirement accounts, and other financial resources.
The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S 2767/ HR 5408) makes long-overdue reforms to the SSI program that would empower millions of people with disabilities to earn and save more money for their futures.
