Call Your Reps!
Scripts to call your reps about issues that matter! Created by @myelasticheart
CONTENTS:
- How to Call
- SSI Restoration Act of 2021
How to Call
- Find your senator here
- Find your representative here
- Call the numbers provided (you can call both their local and their DC offices!) and wait for an answer. Either a person(often an intern or staffer) will answer, or you'll be sent to an answering machine.
- Read the script provided - if you get a person, say you're calling to leave a message for Senator/Representative ____ and wait for them to respond before you start reading the script.
- Feel free to add your own thoughts or message if you feel comfortable doing so! You may be asked to leave a call back number or an email, and you can do so if you feel comfortable.
About the SSI Restoration Act
Did you know we still don't have marriage equality in the United States? That's because disabled folks on SSI benefits can lose their benefits if they get married, which means many disabled people cannot marry the person they love. But that's not the only issue with SSI! In addition to the marriage penalty, disabled folk are penalized for obtaining part-time work, or for receiving support from family or friends (such as groceries or a place to live). There are also limits on how much money folks can save. If you have more than $2,000 in savings/assets as an individual, or more than $3,000 as a couple (which comes out to $1,500 per person - less than the amount individuals are allowed) you risk losing your benefits entirely. This amount hasn't been updated since 1989!These outdated rules prevent disabled Americans from truly thriving by preventing those on benefits from getting married, receiving community support, saving money for emergencies, or attempting to become financially independent by working. If so many conservative politicians think people should try to get off benefits, why do they make it impossible for folks to survive when attempting to do so?And the maximum amount folks on SSI can receive is only $794 monthly - that's HALF of the poverty level in the United States. Combined with the savings limits, disabled folks on benefits are forced to live in poverty, check to check. A motorized wheelchair costs between $700-$3,000+. The average rent for a 1 bedroom in the US is $1,098. A car repair can cost around $400-$900. The assets limits and low monthly payments prevent disabled folks from saving for emergencies or achieving financial independence. It's time to bring SSI into the 21st century, and the SSI Restoration Act of 2021 is a huge step in the right direction.
THE BILL
- increases the monthly benefits maximum to match the federal poverty level and adjust for inflation
- changes the assets/savings allowance from $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for couples
- allows folks to earn up to $399 a month from working and $123 from additional benefits (veteran's, pension, etc.)
- eliminates the marriage penalty bringing us closer to marriage equality
- eliminates penalties for folks receiving community support
SSI Restoration Act of 2021 Script
SENATORS
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and i'm a constituent from [YOUR TOWN]. i'm calling to ask Senator [LAST NAME] to vote yes on bill S.2065, the SSI Restoration Act of 2021. This bill provides crucial changes to support disabled and elderly Americans receiving SSI benefits. Did you know that according to existing laws, disabled people on benefits can risk losing those benefits if they get married? They're also penalized for obtaining part-time work. Furthermore, the current laws forbid individuals on benefits from having more than $2000 in their savings, and couples are only allowed to have $3000 in savings. These restrictions prevent Americans with disabilities from marrying the person they love, saving money for emergencies, or finding work. They don't allow people to thrive on benefits or to reach a point where they are financially able to survive without benefits. Bill S.2065 eliminates the marriage penalty and gives people on benefits the opportunity to work to receive additional income. It also updates the savings allowance from $2000 to $10000 for individuals and from $3000 to $20000 for couples. These allowances haven't been updated since 1989, and a chance is long overdue. i ask Senator [LAST NAME] to support disabled Americans by voting yes on this bill and giving [US/THEM] the opportunity to work, to love, and to thrive. Thank you for your time and have a great day.
REPRESENTATIVES
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and i'm a constituent from [YOUR TOWN]. i'm calling to ask Representative [LAST NAME] to vote yes on bill HR 3824, the SSI Restoration Act of 2021. This bill provides crucial changes to support disabled and elderly Americans receiving SSI benefits. Did you know that according to existing laws, disabled people on benefits can risk losing those benefits if they get married? They're also penalized for obtaining part-time work. Furthermore, the current laws forbid individuals on benefits from having more than $2000 in their savings, and couples are only allowed to have $3000 in savings. These restrictions prevent Americans with disabilities from marrying the person they love, saving money for emergencies, or finding work. They don't allow people to thrive on benefits or to reach a point where they are financially able to survive without benefits. Bill HR 3824 eliminates the marriage penalty and gives people on benefits the opportunity to work to receive additional income. It also updates the savings allowance from $2000 to $10000 for individuals and from $3000 to $20000 for couples. These allowances haven't been updated since 1989, and a chance is long overdue. i ask Representative [LAST NAME] to support disabled Americans by voting yes on this bill and giving [US/THEM] the opportunity to work, to love, and to thrive. Thank you for your time and have a great day.