People With Disabilities, Families, and Direct Support Professionals:
Tell Congress #WeAreEssential & #FixtheGlitch for SSI
We know this is a difficult time for each and every one of you and that your lives are now full with new responsibilities and unfamiliar routines. We ask you to please take a moment, whenever your schedule allows, to participate in these two very important action items. Both items will only take a few minutes of your time but doing so will send a big message to our elected officials as they make critical decisions impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families during this global health crisis.

Item #1: #WeAreEssential: Tell Congress to Include the Disability Community in COVID-19 Relief Bills

Congress has passed three bills to respond to the coronavirus pandemic – but they have not addressed the critical needs of people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professional (DSP) workforce. Read The Arc’s statement on the latest bill here .
The entire country is facing the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, but people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. People with disabilities are more likely to have underlying health conditions and live in poverty – this means that they will be disproportionately impacted and need ongoing support.  

Item #2: Act Now to #FixtheGlitch for SSI!
Millions of people with disabilities who rely on SSI or certain Veterans benefits are eligible for coronavirus stimulus money, but aren't going to get that money automatically because the Treasury, Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs aren't working together and sharing data. Instead, they’re going to force millions of low-income people with disabilities, many of them veterans, to file tax returns to tell the Government that they didn’t make any money. This useless paperwork requirement will delay payments and be a huge burden for people with disabilities, their families, and service providers. Tell them that they need to #FixtheGlitch and autopay people with disabilities and veterans!

The Arc of New Jersey is committed to continued advocacy as we face this global health crisis. This includes, but is not limited to, providing our networks with all the latest news and updates impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. If you have the means to do so, please consider a donation to The Arc of New Jersey now so we can keep you informed today and in the future. Click here to make a donation today.
The Arc of New Jersey | 732.246.2526 | info@arcnj.org