Blue Ridge Independent Living Center

*** Let’s Not be Defeatist. Congress can act to fix the Social Security Trust Fund ***
The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report was just released, and it shows that the Social Security retirement trust fund will be depleted by 2032, one quarter earlier than last year’s estimate. If Congress does not act, incoming revenue would only be sufficient to pay 78 percent of scheduled retirement and survivor benefits, meaning a potential across-the-board reduction of up to 22 percent.
That does not mean Social Security is “going broke.” It means policymakers have a choice. They can do nothing and allow benefits to be reduced, or they can act to protect the benefits workers and families have earned.

Ideas to Improve Social Security

Fortunately, Americans are united about what Congress should do. Strong majorities oppose benefit cuts and support revenue solutions. One of the most popular solutions is simple: ask the wealthy to pay their fair share into Social Security. Many people do not realize that high-income earners pay no Social Security payroll tax on wages above $184,500.

With economic insecurity rising and wealth increasingly concentrated at the top, it makes sense to ask the highest earners to contribute more to preserve benefits for workers, people with disabilities, survivors, and families. The public does not just support maintaining Social Security benefits. There is also strong bipartisan support for improving the program to reflect the realities of modern life.

Popular ideas include providing caregiver credits for people who spend time out of the workforce caring for family members, strengthening protections for people with disabilities, and modernizing Supplemental Security Income so that low-income older adults and people with disabilities can meet their basic needs when Social Security, retirement savings, or other income is not enough to keep them out of poverty.

Congress Needs to Act to Keep Social Security Strong
Social Security helps people remain in their homes, pay for groceries and prescription drugs, and maintain economic security as they age. If we want the program to continue meeting the needs of workers and families, Congress must make the changes necessary to secure and strengthen it.

If the new depletion date falls in 2032, the next President and Congress will have to confront this choice directly. Saying “no cuts to Social Security” is not enough. If policymakers refuse to raise the revenue needed to protect the program and simply allow the depletion date to arrive, that is a choice to let benefits be reduced.
Instead, Congress should do what Americans want: keep Social Security strong, require the wealthy to pay their fair share, and reject benefit cut

***** 2026 Youth Scholarship Applications Now Open! *****
Youth Scholarships

NCIL is offering scholarships to attend our Annual Conference to youth with disabilities ages 18–26 who may otherwise be unable to afford the cost of attendance.

The 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living will take place July 20–23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC.

Scholarships cover the costs associated with full participation in the conference, including registration, travel, and hotel accommodations.

The only requirements to apply are:

• Identifying as disabled or as a person with a disability (or disabilities); and
• Being between the ages of 18 and 26.

Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship

NCIL is also offering the Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship.

Emet Tauber was a former Youth Scholarship recipient and NCIL board member who passed away in 2019. Emet’s life was changed by the Youth Scholarship Fund, and he was passionate about enabling others to have the same opportunities. Therefore, the Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship will be awarded each year to at least one youth with a disability who is also trans and / or Jewish, in recognition of Emet’s activism within both communities.

If you would like to be considered for the Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship, follow the prompts on the application form under the “Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship” section.

How to Apply

Fill out the online application: https://bit.ly/4nrWgqf

The application deadline is June 12, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. Funds are limited, so interested parties should respond promptly.

Scholarship recipients will be notified within one week of the deadline.

More Information

Read more about the conference: https://bit.ly/48YPgeF

Please contact NCIL Operations Director Jenny Sichel at [email protected] with any questions.

*** FCC Announces May 27 Webinar to Recognize Older Americans Month ***
In recognition of Older Americans month, the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) will host a webinar on Wednesday, May 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET highlighting Champion Your Health which underscores prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging.

During the webinar, attendees will be provided with information about:
• Telehealth, Long Con and Romance Scams and Fraud
• 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline
• Access to Video Calls

This event will be streamed for the public on www.fcc.gov/live. Please register for this webinar using the link
e3646397-c94e-4c3c-9bb4-cd2118601210@72970aed-3669-4ca8-b960-dd016bc72973" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e3646397-c94e-4c3c-9bb4-cd2118601210@72970aed-3669-4ca8-b960-dd016bc72973

This link is also featured on the Events page.

Registration is optional. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The presentation slide deck will be shared after the webinar.

Sign language interpreters and captioning will be provided. Additional reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need and your contact information in case we need more details. Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).

Email [email protected] with questions about the webinar or to schedule a meeting to discuss how to collaborate with the FCC on providing information to your community.

We look forward to your participation at the webinar on May 27, 2026!