A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2026," directs the Commissioner of Social Security to run a 20-year demonstration project. The project focuses on individuals receiving disability benefits due to blindness. It proposes modifying how benefits are calculated and maintained when individuals earn money from services. Specifically, it seeks to change how eligibility is determined and how benefits are reduced based on earnings. The project includes provisions for a specific period of implementation and an option for individuals to opt out after a certain timeframe.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill eases the transition into employment for blind individuals by removing trial work periods and substantial gainful activity restrictions.
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill facilitates work for blind individuals by decoupling eligibility from substantial gainful activity and preventing benefit termination due to earnings.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The modification of benefit reductions allows for more predictable income while working.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Modified Eligibility Standards: Under Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(A), the determination of disability would be made without respect to substantial gainful activity, which could benefit blind individuals seeking to work.
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Protection of Benefits: According to Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(C), entitlement to benefits will not terminate due to earnings derived from services, providing more stability for those entering the workforce.
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Removal of Trial Work Constraints: Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(D) states that the period of trial work would not apply, which alters the current structure of how individuals transition into employment.
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Avoidance of Specific Termination Rules: Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(E) ensures that provisions related to the termination month do not apply to those in the project.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduction of Monthly Benefits: Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(B) specifies that benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 that an individual's earnings exceed the sum of the exempt amount and expenses reasonably attributable to earning income.
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Limited Opt-Out Window: While an opt-out is mentioned in Section 2, subsection (d), it can only occur after the 120-month period described in subsection (b)(1)(A).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill facilitates work for blind individuals by decoupling eligibility from substantial gainful activity and preventing benefit termination due to earnings. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The modification of benefit reductions allows for more predictable income while working. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides more stable benefit retention for blind individuals regardless of their earnings.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill eases the transition into employment for blind individuals by removing trial work periods and substantial gainful activity restrictions.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill removes the period of trial work and substantial gainful activity constraints to encourage blind individuals to enter the workforce.
- 4/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island