Support a rule change to end penalties for Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries receiving food assistance
Submit a Public Comment Directly at the Federal Register.
Currently, around 5 million people, who are impoverished, disabled or seniors, rely on the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI) administered by the Social Security Administration. This income amounts to $914 a month, but can be reduced by about a third if a beneficiary is recieving food aid. This is because food aid is considered “in-kind support and maintenance” (“ISM”)
The Social Security Administration is proposing a rule change that would remove food from ISM, so that SSI beneficiaries are not penalized for getting help with food.
Submit a Public Comment Directly at the Federal Register. Comments are due by April 17, 2023.
Lawyer and advocate Matthew Cortland made a blog on Patreon explaining the details of this rule change and how to most effectively comment on it.
Below are his pointers on what to write. Remember, comments written in your own words are the most effective.
• If you are a current or former SSI beneficiary, tell that to SSA. And then tell SSA how difficult it is to live on the grueling, inhumane, sub-poverty benefit that SSI provides. Describe for SSA, in depth, what a difference it would make if you could get some help with food and not be penalized for it. Be specific, provide details and examples.
• If you have a friend or family member who is a current or former SSI beneficiary, tell that to SSA. And then tell SSA what it was like to not be able to offer your loved one help with food because SSA's rules would have penalized them. Tell SSA what a difference it would make if they change this rule to remove food from ISM. Be specific, provide details and examples.
• If you do not have a direct connection to the SSI program, tell SSA why you don't want Social Security to penalize impoverished disabled Americans and seniors who get some help with food.
Include the hashtag #DisabledAmericansMatter in your comment so that we can flag friendly comments for allies inside of the administration.