Staff report

U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, introduced a bill to ensure Supplemental Security Income recipients don’t lose or have their benefits reduced when they receive settlement payments after a tragedy such as the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine.

Cosponsored with U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat, the Protecting Supplemental Security Income for Disaster Victims Act was introduced Monday, Rulli said, because some of his SSI constituents told him during the summer about unintended consequences of accepting settlement agreements for the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment of a Norfolk Southern train containing hazardous materials in East Palestine.

SSI serves older, blind and disabled people living on fixed incomes with limited resources. For some, receiving settlement funds triggered a reduction or complete loss of benefits, Rulli said.

The bill would make such settlement payments exempt from being counted as income or resources when determining SSI eligibility and benefit amounts.

It covers not only the East Palestine settlement, but any future ones received for personal injury, physical sickness, or damage or depreciation of property, Rulli said.

Rulli said: “Whether the settlement comes from a train derailment, personal injury or another disaster, our most vulnerable citizens should not be forced to choose between necessary compensation and their fixed income. No one should see their SSI benefits reduced, clawed back or eliminated simply because they accepted funds intended to help them recover.”

About 50 Norfolk Southern railroad cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed Feb. 3, 2023, in East Palestine. Five of the cars, carrying vinyl chloride, were purposely blown up three days later releasing the toxic chemical into the air.

The derailment and controlled explosion caused the evacuation of thousands of residents of East Palestine and nearby communities.

Several residents have concerns about long-term health issues from the release of toxic chemicals into the air, soil and water.