Letter: I-1433 could affect disability benefits

I have agreed with the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board encouraging the voters to vote No on Initiative 1433, “Our Voice: Initiative 1433 oversimplifies minimum wage challenges,” Oct. 9).

I just want to point out that the Initiative 1433 would not exempt employees receiving federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

An SSDI recipient with a mild disability condition is allowed to work and retain the benefit as long he or she is making less than $1,130 per month.

In other states with the state minimum hourly wage of $7.25, employees can work up to 34 hours a week while receiving full SSDI benefits and Medicare. At the state minimum wage of $9.47, disabled Washingtonians can work up to 27 hours a week.

Under the initiative to raise the minimum wage to $13.50 in 2020, disabled Washingtonians could not work more than 19 hours a week – a loss of almost 8 hours.

If the voters approve the Initiative 1433, a working SSDI recipient will face two choices: Either continue to work at the $13.50 wage while losing the SSDI benefit and Medicare, or resign from any job that requires more than 19 hours a week to retain the SSDI benefit and Medicare.

This story was originally published October 16, 2016 at 4:01 AM with the headline "Letter: I-1433 could affect disability benefits."