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Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2024
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out a demonstration project relating to disability benefits of blind individuals.
Summary
This bill establishes a 20-year Social Security demonstration project for blind individuals receiving disability benefits, beginning within 180 days of enactment. Under the project, blind SSDI beneficiaries could work and earn income without losing eligibility based on their earnings levels, a change from current rules. Their benefits would be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above certain thresholds, rather than terminating entirely when earnings exceed the current limit. The project would eliminate the trial work period and remove other restrictions that currently end benefits for people who work. Blind individuals could remain in the project for 10 years, after which they may choose to opt out.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
5 cosponsors
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Pete Sessions’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- BANKERS LIFE $12,400
- ELEMENTS MASSAGE $12,400
- DEASON CAPITAL SERVICES $11,900
- NULL $10,900
- HIGHLANDER PARTNERS $9,900
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Pete Sessions → · Outside spending →
Actions (3)
- Dec 17, 2024 Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security. · house
- Jun 28, 2024 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. · house
- Jun 28, 2024 Introduced in House
More bills on these subjects (8)
Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 28, 2024
Mr. Sessions (for himself and Mr. Mfume) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out a demonstration project relating to disability benefits of blind individuals.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2024”.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR BLIND AMERICANS.
Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“SEC. 235. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR BLIND AMERICANS.
“(a) In General.—For a 20-year period beginning not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commissioner shall carry out the demonstration project described in subsection (b).
“(b) Benefit Offset.—
“(1) In general.—The demonstration project described in this subsection is a project under which benefits under section 223 are modified pursuant to paragraph (2) for individuals—
“(A) who are entitled to a benefit under 223(a)(1) for a month during the 120-month period beginning with the first month of the 20-year period described in subsection (a); and
“(B) whose disability is by reason of blindness (as defined in section 216(i)(1)).
“(2) Modification.—For purposes of paragraph (1), the benefit under section 223 of an individual described in paragraph (1) is modified as follows:
“(A) In determining eligibility for such benefit, a determination of whether the individual is disabled under section 223(d)(1)(B) shall be made without respect to substantial gainful activity.
“(B) Any benefit payable to the individual for a month (other than a benefit payable for any month prior to the first month beginning after the date on which the individual’s entitlement to such benefit is determined) shall be reduced, except such benefit may not be reduced below $0, by $1 for every $2 by which the individual’s earnings derived from services paid during such month exceeds the sum of—
“(i) the exempt amount described in section 223(d)(4)(A); and
“(ii) an amount equal to the individual’s expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of any income for such month.
“(C) Entitlement to any such benefit shall not terminate due to earnings derived from services.
“(D) The period of trial work described in section 222(c) shall not apply.
“(E) The provisions related to the termination month in subsection (a)(1) of section 223 shall not apply.
“(c) Authority to Waive Compliance With Certain Requirements.—In carrying out the demonstration project under this section, the Commissioner may waive compliance with the benefit requirements of this title and the requirements of section 1148 as they relate to the programs established under this title, insofar as necessary to carry out the demonstration project.
“(d) Opt Out.—After the 120-month period described in subsection
(b)(1)(A), an individual described in such subsection may opt out of the demonstration project.”. <all>
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