I need your help with something.
Let's help our disabled friends and family build a future without fear of losing benefits.
Howdy friends.
I'm writing to you today to ask for your help in making a real difference in the lives of Americans with disabilities.
As you may or may not know, the current $2,000 resource limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients is woefully outdated and unfair in many states—including Oklahoma.
It forces people to live in constant fear of losing their benefits if they manage to save even a small amount, trapping them in poverty and discouraging them from pursuing important life goals.
Here's where you can help, and I’ll also give you a hack for making it easy.
The needs: write to your Congressperson and urge them to raise the SSI resource limit to at least $10,000.
However, some Congressmen (like mine) will not accept letters on your behalf from third-parties…but AI can help you get your point across.
This might seem daunting, but you can actually have AI do the heavy lifting for you.
Using Google Bard, you can compose an email that gets your point across in seconds. All you need to do is provide some basic information, and Bard will generate a personalized message that hits all the key points.
Step 1: Open Bard in a new window. (Right click, “Open Link in New Tab” if you’re on a desktop.)
Step 2: Copy and paste this request into Bard with light editing:
“Write a letter to the Congressman who represents [enter your city and state] on behalf of someone from that municipality urging them to support raising the monetary penalty for those receiving SSI disability benefits from $2,000 to at least $10,000 as well as considering removing marriage penalties for disabled benefits recipients.
Explain how the $2,000 limit forces people to choose between saving for emergencies and losing their critical lifeline. Highlight the stress and anxiety it causes, and how it discourages marriage and other positive life changes.
Show how a $10,000 limit would empower people to save for the future, pursue education, and even dream of homeownership without fear. Explain how it would promote social inclusion and well-being.
Mention states like Kansas that have already raised their limits, demonstrating the feasibility and positive impact of this change.
Clearly ask this Congressperson to champion this issue and work to raise the SSI resource limit.”
Step 3: After Bard has produced an email to your liking, copy and paste it into a new email with your name and city and state listed so they know you are a constituent. Please make sure to read and edit it before sending, as Bard may leave out Congress person named, etc.
Step 4. Using Congress.gov, you can find your Congressperson to enter their name into your email and their email address so it goes to the right person.
Step 5. Consider sharing this articles with folks whom you believe care about this issue. This is becoming a bipartisan issue with a growing support but you can still help it along.
Remember, your voice matters. Your Congressperson needs to hear from their constituents about this important issue—and many refuse to consider messages from third-party organizations (like Congressman Hern).
But if you simply use a tool to help you express your stances, there should be no reason for them to discount your message. And if they do…well, you know what to do come next election day.
Take action today and help us create a brighter future for Americans with disabilities.
Thank you for your time and your commitment to making a difference.
Your buddy,
Ken Lane
“Remember, write to your Congressman. Even if he can’t read, write to him.” –Will Rogers, May 1935
PS: For reference, here is an email I composed and sent to my Congressman.
Dear Congressman Hern,
I am writing to urge you to revisit the unfair and outdated resource limits placed on Oklahomans with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The current $2,000 asset limit forces individuals to live in constant fear of losing their critical lifeline if they manage to save even a small amount of money. This not only traps them in a cycle of poverty but also discourages them from pursuing marriage and other life milestones for fear of exceeding the limit and losing their benefits.
As you know, the SSI program is designed to provide a minimal income floor for individuals with disabilities who are unable to work. However, the current $2,000 resource limit, established in 1989, has not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. A 2021 report by the National Disability Institute (NDI) found that the real value of the resource limit has declined by over 40% since 1989, meaning individuals have even less opportunity to save for emergencies, education, or other essential needs.
This arbitrary penalty disproportionately harms individuals with disabilities, many of whom face additional expenses due to their impairments. Even small savings for unexpected medical bills, car repairs, or assistive technology can tip them over the limit and jeopardize their benefits. This constant threat of losing their lifeline creates immense stress and anxiety, hindering their ability to live fulfilling and independent lives.
Furthermore, the current resource limit discourages marriage and other positive life changes for individuals with disabilities. When two SSI recipients marry, their combined resources are counted together, often pushing them over the limit and causing one of them to lose their benefits. This "marriage penalty" punishes individuals for forming families and building stable lives.
Raising the resource limit to at least $10,000 would be a significant step towards alleviating these hardships. This modest increase would allow individuals to save for emergencies, pursue educational opportunities, and even dream of owning a home without fear of losing their benefits. It would also encourage marriage and family formation, promoting greater social inclusion and well-being for Oklahomans with disabilities.
Several other states have already recognized the harmful impact of low resource limits and implemented positive changes. In 2021, Kansas raised its resource limit to $10,000, and several other states, including Connecticut, Illinois, and Maryland, have no resource limit at all. These examples demonstrate that raising the limit is not only feasible but also has a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities.
I urge you to champion this important issue and work to raise the SSI resource limit for Oklahomans with disabilities. By doing so, you will empower them to save for the future, pursue their dreams, and participate fully in our communities.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Lane
Tulsa, Oklahoma