Letter: People with mental illness can't afford to lose their SSI benefits

Sen. Hatch,

I’m writing in reference to HR 2792, which involves stripping SSI benefits from people with involvement in the criminal justice system. Having worked in both the mental health and criminal justice systems, I can tell you that people with mental illness are more likely to have police contact than contact with a mental health professional.

Often times, sad as the truth may be, these people often only get the help that they need through a judge’s order. They get involved with mental health services through probation or other similar programs. If this bill were to pass, these individuals would lose access to these services for something as simple as missing a court date.

I urge you to vote no on HR 2792. As a nation, we need to protect our most vulnerable citizens, not make them more vulnerable.

Carly Gustaveson, West Valley City