Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7828
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T08:07:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation amends Title XVI of the Social Security Act to modernize the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. It aims to expand eligibility, increase benefit amounts, remove certain restrictions, and extend the program to additional U.S. territories.
Key Provisions
- Updates income exclusions, earned income exclusions, and resource limits, with annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers.
- Ties future SSI benefit amounts to federal poverty guidelines for individuals and couples, eliminating the prior fixed rates and the marriage penalty.
- Excludes in-kind support and maintenance from countable income.
- Excludes qualified retirement accounts from countable resources.
- Repeals the penalty for disposing of resources for less than fair market value.
- Clarifies that certain state tax credits and refunds are not treated as income or resources.
- Excludes tribal general welfare payments from income and resources.
- Eliminates dedicated accounts for past-due benefits and the requirement for installment payments of past-due amounts.
- Extends the exclusion period for certain payments from 9 months to 21 months.
- Modifies rules for determining marital status to align with Title II determinations.
- Extends SSI eligibility to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, with authority for the Commissioner of Social Security to adapt rules as needed.
- Sets an effective date of the first day of the first calendar month after a one-year period following enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill substantially raises the income and resource thresholds that determine SSI eligibility. It shifts benefit calculations from fixed statutory amounts to poverty guidelines and removes several long-standing restrictions, including the marriage penalty, in-kind support counting, and penalties for asset transfers. It also eliminates administrative requirements such as dedicated accounts and installment payments, and broadens the geographic scope of the program to include the named territories.
Potential Impacts
- Citizens: More individuals, including those with limited income and resources, may qualify for or receive higher SSI benefits; residents of the listed territories gain access to the program.
- Government agencies: The Social Security Administration faces new administrative responsibilities, including processing applications from territories and adjusting eligibility determinations. Federal spending on SSI is expected to increase due to higher benefits and expanded eligibility.
- International relations: No direct effects identified.
- States and territories: Territories assume new program administration roles; states may see shifts in related programs such as Medicaid due to changes in SSI eligibility.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and potential SSI recipients, particularly low-income elderly individuals and people with disabilities.
- The Social Security Administration.
- State and territorial governments.
- Tribal communities receiving general welfare payments.
- Advocacy organizations focused on disability, poverty, and territorial rights.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The expansion to territories raises questions under the Territorial Clause of the Constitution regarding uniform application of federal benefits. The shift to poverty guidelines and removal of certain penalties may affect coordination with other federal programs, such as Medicaid and tax credits. The legislation does not alter core eligibility criteria based on age, disability, or citizenship but broadens access through financial thresholds.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
Cosponsors (29)
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-03-05: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-05 — PDF (17 pages)