Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Dan Sullivan
Introduced
Summary
Help blind beneficiaries return to work by testing a 20-year Social Security demonstration that would replace automatic benefit termination with an earnings-offset that reduces benefits as work income rises.
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- Blind workers: Blind people receiving Social Security disability would keep entitlement while earning. Their monthly benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $2 in earnings above the exempt amount after deducting work-related expenses, and earnings would not end their entitlement.
- Program timing and choice: The demonstration would run for 20 years and focus on benefits paid during a specific 120-month window. Individuals in that window could opt out after the 120 months.
- Administration and rules: The Social Security Commissioner could waive certain benefit and program-integrity requirements to run the test, allowing tailored eligibility and reporting rules for participants as needed.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Work test for blind Social Security
This bill would start a 20-year Social Security demonstration for people whose disability is blindness. The test would begin no later than 180 days after enactment and would apply to blind Title II beneficiaries who become entitled to disability benefits during the first 10 years of the test. If you join, your entitlement would not end just because you earn wages. Each month (after the first month after your entitlement is determined) your monthly Title II benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the exempt amount in section 223(d)(4)(A) plus any work-related expenses you reasonably had that month. Your benefit could not be cut below $0. The usual trial work period and the normal rules that end benefits for working would not apply. After 120 months (10 years), a participant could choose to opt out. The Social Security Commissioner could waive some Title II and section 1148 requirements to run the test.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov