Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2026

Work rules for blind Social Security beneficiaries

If enacted, this bill would create a 20-year test program for people who get Social Security disability benefits because they are blind. The project must start within 180 days of enactment and applies to people who were entitled to benefits for a month during the first 120 months of the project. Under the test, disability would be judged without regard to substantial gainful activity, your entitlement would not end because you work, and the usual trial work rules and the normal termination-month rules would not apply. Each month (after the first month after your entitlement is determined), your benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $2 your monthly earnings from work exceed the sum of (1) the exempt monthly amount under current law and (2) your work-related expenses for that month; reductions cannot cut your benefit below $0. After the 120-month entry period, people who qualified under the entry rule could choose to opt out. The Social Security Commissioner could waive certain Title II and section 1148 rules to run the demonstration.