Sponsors (2)
Official title: Amend title II of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out a demonstration project relating to disability benefits of blind individuals.
Introduced April 16, 2026 by Daniel Scott Sullivan · Last progress April 16, 2026
The bill strengthens work incentives and preserves entitlement for people who are blind—improving choice and income stability for many—while creating risks of lower benefits for some, added administrative complexity, and higher taxpayer costs over a long demonstration period.
People who are blind and receiving disability benefits can continue to keep entitlement while working and face a gradual benefit offset instead of an immediate loss, increasing work incentives and income stability.
The demonstration removes the trial work period and termination‑month rules for participants, so people who are blind can earn income with reduced risk of abruptly losing benefits.
Beneficiaries retain the option to opt out after 120 months, preserving individual choice about remaining in the demonstration.
Some blind beneficiaries with earnings above the exempt amount may receive lower monthly benefits, which would reduce household income for affected individuals and households.
Running a 20‑year demonstration and preserving entitlement could increase administrative and program costs, meaning higher costs for taxpayers.
Complex offsets, waivers, and changes to existing rules could create administrative burdens and confusion for beneficiaries and Social Security Administration staff.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a 20-year SSA demonstration letting blind SSDI recipients keep entitlement while working and reducing benefits $1 per $2 earned above exemptions (after expenses).
Creates a 20-year Social Security demonstration that changes how SSDI treats blind beneficiaries who return to work. The project lets eligible blind SSDI recipients keep entitlement while working, changes the earnings offset so benefits are reduced $1 for every $2 earned above an exempt amount (after certain work expenses), suspends multiple normal rules (SGA, trial work period, termination months), and allows the Social Security Commissioner to waive other Title II requirements as needed. The Commissioner must start the demonstration within 180 days of enactment; participants can opt out after the first 120 months of the project window.