Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, March 23, 2000

г FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2000 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 CONTACT: Jill Homan 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Testifies For Work Incentives For Blind Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. testified today before the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee about his legislation to eliminate work disincentives against blind Americans. Rep. Ehrlich introduced H.R. 1601, The Blind Empowerment Act, last year which would restore fairness and positively impact as many as one quarter million blind Americans. For nearly twenty years, the blind and senior citizens were linked for the purposes of the Social Security earnings test. Both groups could earn up to the same limit, the earnings threshold, before they began to lose Social Security benefits. In 1996, the earnings limit for older Americans was raised to $30,000, and just recently, this limit was completely eliminated by the House and the Senate. The blind American’s earnings limit, however, has remained the same — below the poverty level. Blind individuals are limited to earnings of approximately $14,000 before they lose all benefits. "In effect, blind individuals have a disincentive for trying to improve their quality of life for themselves and their families. We must re-link the blind Americans’ earnings limit with seniors’. By raising the earnings threshold for the blind, we are restoring fairness and encouraging work and self-reliance, " explained Congressman Ehrlich. The hearing focused on the earnings test, differences in current law, and assessments of costs and employment experiences of blind individuals. ### c