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Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1175| House 
| Updated: 2/10/2025
Pete Sessions

Pete Sessions

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (39)
Donald Norcross (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)John Garamendi (Democratic)Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Jeff Crank (Republican)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Stephanie I. Bice (Republican)Derek Schmidt (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Mike Kelly (Republican)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Glenn Grothman (Republican)Josh Harder (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Sharice Davids (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Josh Riley (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Pete Stauber (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Randy Fine (Republican)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Jason Crow (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Michael Guest (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill establishes a 20-year demonstration project under the Social Security Act to modify how earnings affect disability benefits for blind individuals, encouraging their return to work. For participants, disability determination will no longer consider substantial gainful activity (SGA). Monthly benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above the standard exempt amount plus work-related expenses, ensuring benefits do not fall below zero. Crucially, entitlement to benefits will not terminate due to earnings from services, and standard trial work period rules will not apply, removing significant disincentives. The Commissioner of Social Security can waive certain benefit requirements to implement the project, and participants can opt out after 120 months.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8878
Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2024
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8878
    Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2024


  • February 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Social Welfare

Disability and paralysisDisability assistanceHearing, speech, and vision care

Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1175| House 
| Updated: 2/10/2025
This bill establishes a 20-year demonstration project under the Social Security Act to modify how earnings affect disability benefits for blind individuals, encouraging their return to work. For participants, disability determination will no longer consider substantial gainful activity (SGA). Monthly benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above the standard exempt amount plus work-related expenses, ensuring benefits do not fall below zero. Crucially, entitlement to benefits will not terminate due to earnings from services, and standard trial work period rules will not apply, removing significant disincentives. The Commissioner of Social Security can waive certain benefit requirements to implement the project, and participants can opt out after 120 months.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8878
Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2024
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8878
    Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2024


  • February 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Pete Sessions

Pete Sessions

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (39)
Donald Norcross (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)John Garamendi (Democratic)Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Jeff Crank (Republican)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Stephanie I. Bice (Republican)Derek Schmidt (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Mike Kelly (Republican)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Glenn Grothman (Republican)Josh Harder (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Sharice Davids (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Josh Riley (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Pete Stauber (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Randy Fine (Republican)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Jason Crow (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Michael Guest (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee

Social Welfare

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Disability and paralysisDisability assistanceHearing, speech, and vision care