SB Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, OHToday, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), traveled to Springfield to tour The Abilities Connection’s cargo net-manufacturing facility, where people with disabilities make nets for the U.S. Air Force, and discuss efforts to improve and reform Supplemental Security Income (SSI), to allow Ohioans to work and save for the future without facing government penalties.

“The Abilities Connection gives Ohioans the opportunity to work and live with dignity. We should be rewarding – not punishing – these workers who want to earn a little additional income to provide for themselves and their families,” said Brown. “Our bill will update the SSI program for Ohioans with disabilities, fixing outdated restrictions and allowing them to work and save for the future without taking away the money they rely on to live.”

Brown is the author and lead sponsor of the SSI Restoration Act, which will bring the program into the 21st century, and allow people receiving SSI to earn up to $399 per month from working. SSI provides financial assistance to nearly 8 million seniors and Americans who are blind or disabled. But the current program hasn’t been updated since the 1980s, and punishes these Americans for working, saving for the future, and being married.

Brown was joined on his tour by Sevda Frohlich, who has worked at The Abilities Connection for 36 years and receives SSI benefits, as well as The Abilities Connection CEO Jim Zahora, and The Abilities Connection Manager of Human Services Kevin Spriggs. They were able to provide real world perspective on how Brown’s proposed fix would benefit the people they serve.

“I feel like I’m helping my country out and helping out the military with what I’m doing now,” said Sevda Frohlich, who has family who have served and are currently serving in the United States Air Force. Frohlich has worked for The Abilities Connection for 36 years, receives SSI benefits and says Sen. Brown’s legislation would benefit her. According to The Abilities Connection, due to SSI income limits many of the people who work at The Abilities Connection and receive SSI benefits, like Frohlich, have had to consider the risk of losing benefits if they increase the number of hours they work.

“Many of the people we serve cannot build any financial security or take advantage of income opportunities without fear of losing their SSI and other benefits. It is time to reform the SSI program and make a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities,” said The Abilities Connection CEO Jim Zahor.

“Approximately 71% of TAC’s production workforce are recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  This Act would increase the SSI benefits for recipients, many of whom desire to earn additional income.  These increased benefits would ultimately increase their quality of life and the quality of life for their families and loved ones,” said The Abilities Connection Manager of Human Services Kevin.

The Abilities Connection is a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities, offering workplaces where they can thrive. At the Springfield cargo-net manufacturing facility Brown toured, those with disabilities work alongside those without disabilities to help manufacture all of the cargo nets for the U.S. Air Force. Many of the people who work at the facility would benefit from SSI improvements.

Brown chaired a hearing on updating SSI in the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy hearing in September. This was the first Senate hearing that specifically addressed SSI since 1998. In addition to fixing outdated work penalties, Senator Brown’s bill would also update asset limits and income rules to compensate for inflation. Currently, a single person can save $2,000, and a married couple can save $3,000 before they lose benefits. The SSI Restoration Act would raise those limits to $10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for a married couple.

Senator Brown has advocated for including these updates in the forthcoming reconciliation bill.

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