Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

This bill extends the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to Guam. This is a federal program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet basic needs. When Congress created the SSI program in 1972, it excluded Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

The Social Security Administration may waive or modify statutory requirements relating to the provision of benefits as necessary to adapt the program to Guam.

Bill 117 HR 157, also known as the Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act, aims to address the disparity in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits between residents of Guam and residents of other US territories and states. Currently, residents of Guam receive lower SSI benefits compared to residents of other US territories and states, despite facing similar cost of living expenses.

The bill seeks to rectify this inequality by ensuring that residents of Guam receive the same level of SSI benefits as residents of other US territories and states. This would provide much-needed financial support to individuals in Guam who rely on SSI benefits to meet their basic needs.

The Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers recognizing the importance of ensuring equal access to essential benefits for all US citizens, regardless of their place of residence. The bill is seen as a crucial step towards promoting fairness and equity in the distribution of federal benefits. If passed, the Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act would have a significant impact on the lives of individuals in Guam, providing them with the financial support they need to thrive and succeed. It represents a positive step towards addressing longstanding disparities in federal benefits and ensuring that all US citizens are treated fairly and equitably.