Of interest to all blind persons.  I saw this notice posted on the N.F.B. 
Research and Development server list.
From: Jim Gashel 
Subject: material for distribution
For more information contact:
James Gashel
Director of Governmental Affairs
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson St. 
Baltimore, Md. 21230
Phone:  1-410-659-9314 Fax 1-410-685-5653 
               IMPORTANT NOTICE ON SGA FOR BLIND PERSONS
     The Social Security Administration has just announced the
earnings guideline for blind persons to be used in determining
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) during 1997.  The SGA earnings
guideline applies to eligibility decisions in the Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.  It does not apply in any
respect whatsoever to determinations of eligibility or payment
amounts in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
     Beginning in January, 1997, average monthly earnings for a
blind person which are less than $1,000 will not count as SGA.  The
comparable amount for 1996 is $960.  The
change in the SGA exempt amount for blind people is the result of
an automatic adjustment made annually.
     From January, 1978, until March, 1996, the SGA exempt amount
for blind persons was identical to the exempt amount for persons
who retire at age 65.  However, the earnings exemption for seniors
was raised above the automatic adjustment level in March, 1996, and
will increase further in six mandated steps to reach an annual
exempt amount of $30,000 beginning in 2002.
     Although the SGA exempt amount for blind people was
specifically excluded from the mandated adjustments, it will still
be raised gradually and automatically year by year.  By the
year 2002, when the exempt amount for seniors reaches $30,000, the
SGA guideline for blind people is expected to be $14,400.
     It is important to provide correct and complete information to
blind people who may be affected by the annual changes in SGA. 
This is particularly so now--beginning with the 1997 change--since
the exempt amounts for blind people and for seniors are different. 
Because more than thirty-five million seniors receive retirement
benefits, and fewer than one hundred thousand blind people receive
SSDI checks, the wrong information about the exempt earnings
standard may be given in response to some inquiries.  This was
less likely to occur when the exemptions were linked.
     In view of the change in earnings exemptions, the Social
Security
Administration is aware of the possibility that confusing and
incorrect information may be given.  Therefore, a
reminder notice is being circulated to personnel in Social Security
offices and to specialists who answer calls in the teleservice
system.  The text of the notice from the Social Security
Administration follows:
 
                    SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
      INFORMATION ON GUIDELINES FOR SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY
 
                    1997 SGA Amount for the Blind 
     Effective January 1, 1997, the monthly substantial gainful
activity
(SGA) amount for persons receiving Social Security disability
benefits based on blindness will be $1,000.  This
represents an increase over the amount in 1996, which was $960 per
month.  The non-blind SGA amount remains at $500 per month.
 
     It is important to remember that beginning in 1997, the blind
SGA amount is no longer tied to the over age-65 retirement earnings
test. That amount will rise significantly over the next five years
based on legislation signed in March, 1996, until it
reaches $30,000 per year in 2002.
     Although de-coupled from the retirement earnings test, the
blind SGA amount continues by law to be adjusted annually based on
the national average wage index.
Harvey 
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