The Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act: legislative history and summary of provisions

This article describes the legislative history of Public Law 99-643, the Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act, and contains a summary of the provisions of the new law. The intent of this legislation is to enhance the work incentives for the disabled and blind under the supplemental security income (SSI) law. The law makes permanent and improves section 1619 of the Social Security Act, provisions that were enacted as a temporary demonstration project in 1980. These provisions encourage disabled and blind individuals who are eligible for SSI benefits to make work attempts by providing special SSI payments and Medicaid coverage while they do so.