Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, wrote a letter of support to U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Bill Cassidy for their work to update the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) policy.

The economic insecurities faced by SSI recipients are profound. Increasing the asset limit from $2,000 and adjusting it with inflation would encourage savings and better prepare for future financial challenges. The National Association of Evangelicals supports efforts, like this, that seek to provide for the vulnerable, alleviate poverty and uphold human dignity. Read the letter in full below or download a PDF of the letter.

 

The Honorable Sherrod Brown
United States Senate
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Bill Cassidy
United States Senate
455 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senators Brown and Cassidy,

Thank you for your leadership in working to update the asset limit for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The current SSI asset policy makes little sense, discouraging saving for emergencies or for special goals that would provide a measure of protection and enhance quality of life for some of our most vulnerable citizens.

The economic insecurities faced by SSI recipients are profound. Substantially increasing the asset limit from the current level of $2,000 and indexing it to inflation would encourage savings, better preparing for future financial shocks. It would also remove a perverse pressure on individuals nearing the asset limit to spend their money immediately rather than saving it for a rainy day.

The National Association of Evangelicals supports efforts to provide for the vulnerable, alleviate poverty and uphold human dignity. Allowing SSI recipients to save more of their money is a step in the right direction. Please be assured of our support as you pursue this important reform.

Respectfully,

Walter Kim
President
National Association of Evangelicals