H.R.1175 - Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1175, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025, proposes a demonstration project under the Social Security Act to modify disability benefits for blind individuals. The project aims to encourage beneficiaries to return to work without losing all their benefits. It allows individuals to earn income without immediate termination of benefits, using a benefit offset formula.
Expected Effects
The bill would implement a 20-year demonstration project where blind individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits can work without the usual restrictions on substantial gainful activity. Benefits would be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above a certain threshold, but would not terminate entirely due to earnings. This allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work and gradually transition off benefits.
Potential Benefits
- Encourages blind individuals to re-enter the workforce.
- Allows beneficiaries to retain some benefits while working, easing the transition to full employment.
- Provides a financial incentive to work by offsetting benefits rather than terminating them immediately.
- Could reduce long-term reliance on Social Security disability benefits.
- Offers a trial period for beneficiaries to assess their work capacity without risking complete loss of benefits.
Potential Disadvantages
- The benefit offset may not be sufficient to incentivize some individuals to work.
- The complexity of the offset calculation could be confusing for beneficiaries.
- The demonstration project is limited to blind individuals, potentially excluding others with disabilities who could benefit from a similar program.
- There is a risk that some individuals may exploit the system to receive benefits while working at a level that would normally disqualify them.
- The 20-year duration of the project may be too long to assess its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution (Preamble). It aims to promote the well-being of blind Americans by encouraging self-sufficiency through work. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or protections.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).