LETTER: Limit on benefits for working disabled people is unjustified

To Ozaukee Press:

The impact of 2013 Wisconsin legislation denying unemployment insurance benefits to persons receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) became visible as the Covid-19 pandemic led to record filings for unemployment, including by persons with disabilities who work part time.  

In reply to a letter and phone call, my state senator, Duey Stroebel, noted proudly that he voted as a state representative for the bill disallowing unemployment and SSDI benefits. I contacted him because the legislation affects a family member with a disability who lost her part-time job when her employer’s business closed in March.  

In his condescending responses, Sen. Stroebel attempted to explain the two benefit systems to me as “overlapping benefits intended to replace lost earnings in inherently contradictory situations.” This word salad gets translated to the public as “double-dipping,” which is blatantly wrong. If a person receiving SSDI benefits wants to work part time, this is encouraged with a program titled Ticket to Work, which has tight limitations on additional earnings allowed. A combination of SSDI and additional earnings does not even come close to a living wage.

Since employers pay into the unemployment insurance fund and since persons receiving SSDI can participate in limited employment, why are persons with disabilities not allowed to proportionately collect what every other employee has a right to receive?  

Fortunately, the Department of Workforce Development, with no support from our legislators, just successfully negotiated pandemic unemployment assistance to temporarily remedy this frustrating situation for Wisconsin persons with disabilities.

Wisconsin needs elected officials who see fiscal responsibility and compassion as compatible.

Louise Mollinger
Port Washington