Government Relations

Wounds of War: The Growing Need for Disability Technology in the Veteran Community

Each time the United States engages in a new war or combat situation, a new generation of wounded veterans returns home—many with complex and permanent disabilities. While advances in battlefield medicine are increasing survival rates, they have also resulted in a growing population of veterans with amputations, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other lasting impairments. These visible and invisible wounds require long-term, adaptive solutions.

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House of Representatives Seal
Government Relations

Implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on the U.S. Disability Community

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, introduces significant changes to federal programs, notably Medicaid and other safety net services. These changes are poised to have profound effects on individuals with disabilities, potentially undermining their access to essential healthcare, housing, education, and support services.

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Government Relations

The Deepening Shortage in the Caregiving Workforce

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country will need to fill 9.3 million direct care job openings by 2031. Without targeted intervention, this shortage will accelerate, disproportionately impacting seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

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Government Relations

A System Designed to Fail: The Challenges Facing People with Disabilities in Insurance and Economic Independence

For millions of people with disabilities in the United States, the promise of equitable access to healthcare and financial independence remains elusive. While advocacy groups, policymakers, and individuals have worked tirelessly to advance disability rights, systemic barriers persist, creating a landscape that often seems engineered for failure.

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Social Security card and money
Government Relations

Policy Review of the New SSI Rule: “Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Calculations”

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented a rule that will eliminate food from the In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations when determining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and payment amounts. Effective September 30, 2024, this change is designed to make the SSI process less burdensome for beneficiaries and the SSA itself.

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HUD logo
Government Relations

Recent policy updates from the HUD and the VA

The recent policy updates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) mark a significant step forward in helping veterans, especially those experiencing homelessness, find stable housing. These changes are designed to address the specific challenges veterans face when trying to access supportive housing and aim to make the system more inclusive and effective.

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Government Relations

Overcoming Challenges & Unlocking Opportunities for Work & SSDI Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two main programs that provide financial support to individuals with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs define disability as an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically verifiable physical or mental impairment. If someone’s earnings exceed the SGA limit, their benefits are typically reduced or stopped.

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Government Relations

The “marriage penalty” within the SSI Program

The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides crucial monthly cash assistance to disabled and elderly people with limited income and resources. However, many recipients face a significant drawback: the program penalizes marriage by reducing or eliminating benefits if a couple’s combined assets exceed $3,000.

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