A Blind Eye to the Needy : Should quadriplegics get less Social Security aid than sightless people?

The U.S. Supreme Court recently let stand a ruling that cut off Social Security disability benefits to an enterprising Wyoming man who, though a quadriplegic, managed to earn nearly $350 a month typing with his toes. His income exceeded the earnings limit, which was $300 at the time. His lawyers argued that federal rules unfairly allowed blind people to earn more than double that amount and continue to receive the same amount in disability benefits. Is this equal protection under the law? Congress made these rules and it should address this inequity.

The disabled man, Paul E. Spragens, a free-lance book indexer, is expected to be penalized. He has been told to repay nearly $20,000 in benefits he received between 1986 and 1989 because he “broke rules”--rules that are patently unfair. Shouldn’t all disabled people be considered equal by the federal government? Apparently Congress thinks not.

Lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice successfully argued in a lower court that Congress could reasonably decide that blind people suffer greater financial hardships than other disabled people. Congress bought that argument. Blindness is a hardship, but so is the loss of the use of arms and legs.

Lawyers for Spragens argued Congress unfairly made the extra allowance for blind people. The lower threshold for other disabled people “gives all disabled persons other than blind people a financial incentive not to work.” That sounds like welfare, which is at the top of Congress’ “must reform” list.

Blind people who receive federal disability benefits can now earn as much as $940 a month without penalty. Disabled people who can see can earn up to only $500 without losing benefits. There’s no logical reason for the difference.

Social Security disability checks do not provide a life of luxury. The average payment is $661 a month to a single adult. Supplementing those benefits isn’t easy. Many disabled people who are willing to work can’t find jobs. Those who do manage to find work should be rewarded by a Congress that encourages work and remains committed to fairness.