To: The Social Security Administration, Legislators, and Policy Makers

As individuals living with disabilities, we rely on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to survive. However, the current system fails to support us in our efforts to gain independence and self-sufficiency, particularly through the Plan to Achieve Self-Sufficiency (PASS) program, which has unrealistic barriers for those unable to work traditional jobs.

Specifically, the PASS program’s rules do not allow us to use the very income we rely on—SSI benefits—to pursue the self-sufficiency goals it was designed to support. In my case, I am unable to use my SSI payments to fund a small business, invest in tools and materials to start my business, or even pay for necessary training or educational opportunities. This lack of access to my own income under the PASS program is a clear barrier to my independence and is preventing me from building a future where I can move off of public assistance.

We are calling for immediate reforms to SSI and the PASS program, which will ensure:

An Increase or Removal of the $65 Income Cap: The current income cap penalizes us for trying to earn money to improve our circumstances, making it impossible to build a better future. We demand that the income limit be raised to a realistic and supportive level, or that the cap be removed altogether.
The Right to Use SSI Income for Self-Sufficiency: The PASS program is supposed to help people on SSI become self-sufficient, but its current structure makes it impossible for those who cannot work traditional jobs to utilize it. We demand that the program be expanded to allow for non-traditional work, such as self-employment, freelance work, and online businesses, without risking the loss of benefits. We also demand that SSI benefits be allowed to be used in pursuing self-sufficiency goals under PASS.
Support for Disabled Entrepreneurs: Disabled individuals who wish to pursue self-employment are forced into a system that penalizes them for trying to better their lives. We ask that the system provide clear support and incentives for disabled entrepreneurs, including access to training, small business grants, and flexible income guidelines that allow us to pursue our goals without losing medical care or other benefits.
Uncompromised Access to Health Care: Access to health care is crucial to our survival. We demand that individuals with disabilities be able to earn a living and build a future without losing access to critical medical benefits.
This petition is for the millions of individuals who rely on SSI for survival but are constantly trapped by an outdated, restrictive system that denies us the chance to thrive. We have the right to live with dignity, to make a living, and to achieve our dreams. We deserve a system that supports our independence, not one that keeps us stagnant and dependent on government aid.

 
Why This Matters:
The current rules governing the PASS program are preventing individuals like me from achieving self-sufficiency. By not allowing us to use our own SSI income, we are left with limited options to invest in a future where we can live independently and free from government dependence. The government is denying us access to the very resources it provides to help us move forward. This is not just a financial barrier—it’s a denial of our basic human dignity and our right to create a better life for ourselves.

 
Next Steps:
Please sign this petition to demand immediate reform to the SSI and PASS programs. We need a system that helps us build a future, not one that keeps us trapped in a cycle of survival. Join us in the fight for fairness, independence, and access to opportunity for people with disabilities who are ready to take control of their lives.