Supplemental Security Income Disability Amendments of 1979

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Supplemental Security Income Disability Amendments of 1979 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to state that a disabled individual by reason of his or her earnings shall not be considered able to engage in substantial gainful activity, for the purpose of determining eligibility for SSI benefits, unless such earnings exceed the level at which the portion not excluded under title XVI equals the benefit that would be payable under title XVI if such individual had no income of any kind. Increases the amount excluded from the income of a disabled individual applying for SSI benefits by providing the following additional exclusions: (1) an amount equal to 20 percent of such individual's gross earned income representing expenses attributable to the earning of such income; and (2) such additional amounts of earned income of such individual as may be necessary to pay for attendant care services, medical devices and prostheses. Increases amounts excluded from income for blind individuals applying for SSI benefits by excluding, in addition to the present exclusions, the costs of attendant care services, medical devices, equipment and similar items nece…