HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2015 (28) Resolution No. 28 (2015)
ST RO .,, RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NEW SOCIAL SECURITY
' �' SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)ASSET LIMITS
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACHIEVING A BETTER
LIFE EXPERIENCE ACT
1 WHEREAS, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)is a Federal and State income
2 supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes); and
3
4 WHEREAS, the SSI program is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who
5 have little or no income; and
6
7 WHEREAS, the SSI program provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and
8 shelter; and
9
10 WHEREAS, the SSI program eligibility requirements are as follows:
11
12 • Anyone who is 65 and over, blind or disabled.
13 • Has limited income, resources, and is a US citizen or national; and
14
15 WHEREAS, the SSI program asset limits are as follows:
16
17 • Individual/Child is $2,000/month.
18 • Couple is $3,000/month; and
19
20 WHEREAS, the SSI asset limit was set in 1989 and has never been adjusted; and
21
22 WHEREAS, the asset level limits employment and savings options for recipients due to
23 risk of losing Medicaid for health care coverage; and
24
25 WHEREAS, the SSI asset limits can prevent SSI recipients from saving for post-
26 secondary education,homeownership, and retirement; and
27
28 WHEREAS,per 2013 data collected by the Social Security Administration, there are 680
29 SSI recipients in St. Croix County; and
30
31 WHEREAS, in December of 2014, the Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) Act
32 was passed at the Federal level; and
33
34 WHEREAS, the ABLE Act allows individuals whose disability manifest before the age
35 of 26 would be eligible to set up ABLE accounts that are tax-advantaged savings accounts where
36 they can save $14,000 per year and $100,000 in total which will not affect eligibility for
37 Medicaid, Wisconsin Long Term Programs and other public benefits; and
38
39 WHEREAS, each state is responsible for establishing and operating an ABLE program;
40 and
41
42 WHEREAS, this resolution is supported by the Council on Aging and Disabilities and the
43 Health and Human Services Board.
44
45 THEREFORE, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors supports the
46 implementation of the ABLE Act to reform the SSI asset limits in Wisconsin as soon as
47 practicable.
48
49 FURTHER be it resolved, that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors directs the
50 County Clerk to forward this resolution to the office of the governor, assembly members and
51 senators representing St. Croix County, Disability Rights Wisconsin, all Wisconsin counties, and
52 Wisconsin Counties Association.
Legal—Fiscal—Administrative Approvals:
Legal Note:
Fiscal Impact: None
°'`�
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08/11/15 Health & Human Services Board APPROVED
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RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 8/21/2015 9:00 AM
MOVER: Ron Kiesler, Supervisor
SECONDER: Shaela Leibfried, Supervisor
AYES: Babbitt, Logelin, Novotny, Kilber, Kiesler, Anderson, Leibfried, Rasmussen
ABSENT: Lisa Ramsay
08/21/15 Council on Aging and Disabilities
g' APPROVED
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RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Paulette Anderson, Supervisor
SECONDER: Mary Ellen Brue
AYES: Adams, Ostness, Kiesler, Anderson, Brue, Drath, Jonas, Pelnar, Schrank,
Schreiber
EXCUSED: George Zaske
Vote Confirmation.
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St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Action:
Roll Call -Vote Requirement— Majority of Supervisors Present
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RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Christopher Babbitt, Supervisor
SECONDER: Ron Kiesler, Supervisor
AYES: Schachtner, Ring, Babbitt, Novotny, Sjoberg, Koch, Nelson, Berke, Ostness,
Larson, Hansen, Kiesler, Peterson, Anderson, Achterhof, Leibfried
ABSENT: Chris Kilber, Andy Brinkman, William Peavey
This Resolution was Adopted as Amended by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors on September 1, 2015
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk