Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

This bill extends the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 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 these territories.

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

This bill also eliminates a limit on payments from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and other Department of Health and Human Services programs to the territories.

Bill 117 HR 537, also known as the Supplemental Security Income Equality Act, aims to address disparities in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for individuals with disabilities. The bill seeks to provide equal treatment for individuals with disabilities who are married or in a domestic partnership by eliminating the marriage penalty that currently exists within the SSI program.

Currently, individuals who receive SSI benefits face a reduction in their benefits if they are married or in a domestic partnership. This reduction is often referred to as the marriage penalty, as it penalizes individuals for getting married or entering into a domestic partnership. The Supplemental Security Income Equality Act seeks to eliminate this penalty by ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not financially penalized for getting married or entering into a domestic partnership.

The bill also aims to update the eligibility criteria for SSI benefits to better reflect the needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes adjusting the income and resource limits for individuals receiving SSI benefits, as well as ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to the support they need to live independently and participate fully in society. Overall, the Supplemental Security Income Equality Act seeks to promote equality and fairness within the SSI program for individuals with disabilities. By eliminating the marriage penalty and updating the eligibility criteria for SSI benefits, the bill aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the support they need to live full and independent lives.