Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and Barbara B. Kennelly form letter to colleague, February 26, 1998

Congress of the United States Hook of ftqirutmtou ttuhmgtn, Ш 20515 SUPPORT FOR H.R. 612 GROWING! JOIN 170 OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IN RESTORING FAIRNESS FOR THE BLIND! February 26, 1998 Dear Colleague: For nearly twenty years the blind and senior citizens were linked for the purposes of the Social Security Earnings Test. Last Congress that historic link was broken. Beneficiaries who are blind were singled out and excluded when Congress raised the earnings limit for seniors. This means that a lower earnings limit for the blind-$12,000 as compared to $13,500— for seniors is now in effect. By 2002, when the exemption for seniors becomes $30,000, the lower limit created by Congress for the blind in 1996 will be less than half the amount allowed for seniors. It is important to note that when a blind individual earns more than the earnings limit threshold, they lose all of their benefits. A senior citizen in the same situation would only have their benefits reduced at a rate of $ 1 for every $3 earned over the limit. The lower threshold for the blind is a disincentive to work. Blindness is often associated with adverse social and economic consequences. It is difficult for blind individuals to find sustained employment or for that matter employment at all. The blind want to work and take pride in doing so. We should not roll back the progress of the past two decades. Therefore, we have introduced legislation to re-establish the link between the blind and senior citizens for the Earnings Test which we were so wise to do in 1977. If you would like more information or would like to cosponsor H.R. 612, please contact Adam Rak (Rep. Kennelly) at 225-2265 or Maijorie Kwah (Rep. Ehrlich) at 225-3061. Sincerely, BARBARA B. KENNELLY ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. Member of Congress Member of Congress