Scroll through more than 25 years of change that matters.
Our story
Our story
Smart Policy Works’ origin – the SSI Coalition
The organization that ultimately became Smart Policy Works grew out of the Chicagoland SSI Coalition, formed as a part of the national “Appeal to Conscience” campaign.
Continue reading “Smart Policy Works’ origin – the SSI Coalition”
Era of Welfare Reform
During the Clinton-era push for welfare reform, congressional attacks targeted SSI and SSDI for people with substance use disorders, among the first populations for whom the SSI Coalition would advocate. The coalition also fought to preserve access to Medicaid for Illinois’ general assistance population.
PRWORA
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, portrayed as a major welfare reform, eliminated eligibility for SSI for millions of noncitizens, including legal permanent residents and refugees.
SSI Coalition for A Responsible Safety Net
The Chicagoland SSI Coalition’s new name was designed to reflect our emerging policy-advocacy work around economic and health care security.
Continue reading “SSI Coalition for A Responsible Safety Net”
Medicaid Leadership Group
The Coalition led this Illinois advocacy organization, which brought together policymakers, legislators, advocates, providers, and consumers to work collaboratively to improve Illinois’ healthcare system.
The 100% Campaign
Initiated by the SSI Coalition and the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, the campaign increased Medicaid income eligibility in Illinois from 42% of the federal poverty level to 100%, giving access to 200,000 low-income individuals.
Without a Net
The first published study attempting to track the impact of cuts to SSI and SSDI on people whose primary disability was substance addiction, this research created a basis for the Coalition’s advocacy.
Shvartsman v. Apfel
The Coalition partnered with the Shriver Center on a class action lawsuit to reinstate eligibility for food stamps and income supports that were eliminated under the PRWOA for noncitizens.
Ticket to Work
The SSI Coalition played a role in the development, passage, and implementation of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, the most significant disability employment law since the ADA.
Illinois Work Incentives Support Center
The SSI Coalition received funding to provide technical support and training for community-based providers on Social Security Work Incentives programs. Continue reading “Illinois Work Incentives Support Center”
Regional Work Incentives Group
The group worked to educate policymakers and employment providers in five Midwestern states on the need to increase opportunities of persons with disabilities.
Project Access
The project was a collaboration with Chicago-area hospitals to increase access to public benefit programs and improve health outcomes of children with severe disabilities hospitalized in neo-natal intensive care units.
Technical Assistance on TWWIIA
As a contractor to the Social Security Administration, the SSI Coalition held meetings in all 10 federal regions to share its expertise on the Ticket to Work legislation.
NCHSD
A technical assistance partnership, the National Consortium for Health Systems Development provided state-tailored aid for projects to develop comprehensive health and employment service systems for people with disabilities.
Trusted Advisors to SSA
The SSI Coalition served as state systems development specialists under contract with Cornell University and Virginia Commonwealth University, on Social Security Work Incentives programs for community-based organizations across the country. Continue reading “Trusted Advisors to SSA”