Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act

This bill would reauthorize the Social Security Administration's authority through 2031 to conduct demonstration projects that test temporary policy changes aimed at helping Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients return to the workforce. The proposal requires that participation in these projects be voluntary and ensures that no participant's total income is reduced as a result of the study. Additionally, the bill would increase the advance notice the agency must provide to Congress before starting a project and requires the inclusion of specific evaluation metrics in those reports.

This bill affects the Social Security Administration (SSA) by reauthorizing its authority to conduct demonstration projects and establishing new reporting and funding requirements. The legislation also impacts Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries who choose to participate in these voluntary projects designed to promote workforce attachment. Additionally, Congress is affected through the requirement for the SSA to provide advance notification and evaluation metrics 120 days before initiating new projects.

• Reauthorization of SSDI demonstration projects. Extends the Social Security Administration's authority to conduct demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance program through 2031. These projects test temporary policy changes intended to encourage workforce participation among beneficiaries.
• Income and participation protections. Requires that participation in any demonstration project remain voluntary for beneficiaries. The bill also mandates that the Social Security Administration ensure a participant's total income is not reduced as a result of their involvement in a project.
• Funding and administrative requirements. Specifies that all administrative expenses associated with these demonstration projects must be paid using funds specifically appropriated for administration.
• Enhanced congressional notification and reporting. Increases the advance notice period for the Social Security Administration to report to Congress before starting a project from 90 days to 120 days. This notification must include specific evaluation metrics for the proposed project.

The bill reauthorizes the Social Security Administration’s authority to carry out demonstration projects through 2031. Additionally, the bill requires the Social Security Administration to report to Congress 120 days before initiating a demonstration project.

This bill reauthorizes the Social Security Administration’s authority to conduct demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, which previously expired on December 31, 2022. It also modifies existing law by increasing the required advance notification period for reporting these projects to Congress from 90 days to 120 days.

The bill aims to promote workforce attachment for individuals with disabilities by reauthorizing the Social Security Administration's authority to conduct demonstration projects that test temporary policy changes within the Social Security Disability Insurance program.