I am 45 years old with three young children to care for. I am an army veteran and hold a degree in architecture. My career was promising until unexpected health issues led to my disability. This shift in my life was not a result of my military service, but it has left me largely homebound.

Despite my long history of hard work, I now find myself in a difficult position: receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which pays out only $1,231.00 a month after Medicare deductions. This equates to approximately $6.25 an hour if one were to compare it to a full-time job paying minimum wage.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed to support individuals who have worked hard but have become disabled and unable to continue their careers. However, the current SSDI benefits do not reflect the basic living costs, leaving many, like myself, struggling to cover even the most fundamental expenses.

In my situation, being a single parent and shouldering the sole responsibility of providing for my children without any additional income, the inadequate SSDI benefits force undue financial hardship. This scenario is not unique; so many disabled Americans across the country face the same plight, trying to keep up with rising living costs on insufficient disability payments.

It's time to acknowledge and address this injustice. The current SSDI benefits should be reviewed and adjusted to align with the current minimum wage standards. If SSDI payments matched the minimum wage, it would provide a more realistic foundation upon which disabled individuals can maintain a semblance of dignity and financial stability.

We urge policymakers to take immediate action to raise SSDI benefits to at least match the federal minimum wage. This small adjustment could be transformative, providing necessary support to those who have contributed to our society's backbone and are now in need of help.

Join me in calling for this change. Sign this petition to demand fair compensation for disabled individuals reliant on SSDI, ensuring they can live with the dignity and security they deserve.