Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, April 23, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan April 23, 1999 202/225-3061 EHRLICH RESTORING FAIRNESS FOR THE BLIND WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Robert Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) will unveil his bipartisan legislation to eliminate work disincentives for blind Americans at a press conference. The Blind Empowerment Act (BEA) already has 224 Members of Congress as original co-sponsors. This legislation will positively impact about a quarter million blind Americans. Who: Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Attendees: Co-sponsors in Congress National Federation of the Blind National Industries for the Blind Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind U.S. Chamber of Commerce Date: Wednesday, April 28 Time: 10:00 A.M. Place: Capitol Triangle (located at the S.E. comer of House of Rep.) Rain location: Cannon House Office Building Room 3 1 1 For nearly twenty years, the blind and senior citizens were linked for the purposes of the Social Security earnings test. This means that both groups could earn up to the same limit, the earnings threshold, before they began to lose Social Security benefits. In 1996, the link between the earnings test was broken. While the earnings limit for older Americans was raised, the limit for the blind has remained the same— below the poverty level. Congress provided seniors with the opportunity to increase their earnings to $30,000 by 2002 without losing Social Security benefits; however, blind individuals are limited to earnings of approximately $12,000 before they lose all benefits. Ehrlich explained, "In effect, blind individuals are penalized for trying to improve their quality of life for themselves and their families. Presently, the unemployment rate for the blind is about 70%. We must