Joseph Shapiro

argue that that's a pretty modest cost because it would make the system work a lot better, fewer recipients would get kicked off, and Social Security staff would spend less time trying to figure out who qualifies and who doesn't. SSI is just a small program. It's tiny compared to what we think of when we hear Social Security, right? The much larger retirement program.

argue that that's a pretty modest cost because it would make the system work a lot better, fewer recipients would get kicked off, and Social Security staff would spend less time trying to figure out who qualifies and who doesn't. SSI is just a small program. It's tiny compared to what we think of when we hear Social Security, right? The much larger retirement program.

argue that that's a pretty modest cost because it would make the system work a lot better, fewer recipients would get kicked off, and Social Security staff would spend less time trying to figure out who qualifies and who doesn't. SSI is just a small program. It's tiny compared to what we think of when we hear Social Security, right? The much larger retirement program.

Of all the monthly checks the Social Security Administration sends to Americans, SSI accounts for just 4%. But to run SSI takes up 38% of the agency's entire administrative budget.

Of all the monthly checks the Social Security Administration sends to Americans, SSI accounts for just 4%. But to run SSI takes up 38% of the agency's entire administrative budget.

Of all the monthly checks the Social Security Administration sends to Americans, SSI accounts for just 4%. But to run SSI takes up 38% of the agency's entire administrative budget.

Ayesha, last year I went to a protest against what disabled people called SSI's marriage penalty.

Ayesha, last year I went to a protest against what disabled people called SSI's marriage penalty.

Ayesha, last year I went to a protest against what disabled people called SSI's marriage penalty.

This is Patrice Jetter.

This is Patrice Jetter.

This is Patrice Jetter.

Jetter is a disabled woman from New Jersey. She was wearing a multicolored dress and a rainbow wig, and she was leading a marriage commitment ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Only it wasn't to get people legally married, really. It was a protest to bring attention to SSI's marriage penalty.

Jetter is a disabled woman from New Jersey. She was wearing a multicolored dress and a rainbow wig, and she was leading a marriage commitment ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Only it wasn't to get people legally married, really. It was a protest to bring attention to SSI's marriage penalty.

Jetter is a disabled woman from New Jersey. She was wearing a multicolored dress and a rainbow wig, and she was leading a marriage commitment ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Only it wasn't to get people legally married, really. It was a protest to bring attention to SSI's marriage penalty.

Because SSI's asset limit makes it really hard to get married and still qualify for SSI. Remember, for one person, you're not eligible for SSI if you own more than $2,000 in assets. That's already low. But for a married couple, the asset limit is only $3,000.

Because SSI's asset limit makes it really hard to get married and still qualify for SSI. Remember, for one person, you're not eligible for SSI if you own more than $2,000 in assets. That's already low. But for a married couple, the asset limit is only $3,000.

Because SSI's asset limit makes it really hard to get married and still qualify for SSI. Remember, for one person, you're not eligible for SSI if you own more than $2,000 in assets. That's already low. But for a married couple, the asset limit is only $3,000.

Give it a whoop whoop. The U.S. Capitol was gleaming in the background over a stage with a large heart of red and pink flowers.

Give it a whoop whoop. The U.S. Capitol was gleaming in the background over a stage with a large heart of red and pink flowers.