SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8298
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T19:16:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 (H.R. 8298)
Purpose
This bill aims to change how income is calculated for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under title XVI of the Social Security Act. Specifically, it excludes non-cash help—like free food or housing (called "in-kind support and maintenance")—from being counted as income, which affects SSI benefit amounts.
Key Provisions
- Exclusion of in-kind support: Amends Section 1612(a)(2) to explicitly exclude in-kind support and maintenance from "all other income" used in SSI calculations.
- Removal of valuation rules: Strikes language that previously required valuing in-kind support at fair market value (one-third of the benefit rate if living with others, or actual value if higher) and reduces benefits accordingly.
- Conforming changes:
- Removes or redesignates related paragraphs in Sections 1611(c) and 1621(c).
- Eliminates subparagraphs in Section 1612(a)(2) that dealt with in-kind support.
- Immigrant sponsor rule: For non-citizens in their first 3 years in the U.S., only cash support from sponsors counts as income (not in-kind).
- Effective date: Changes take effect 1 year after the bill is enacted.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior law: In-kind support (e.g., room and board from family) was treated as income, often reducing SSI payments by up to one-third.
- New law: Completely removes in-kind support from income calculations, simplifying rules and eliminating the need to value such assistance. This ends the "penalty" for receiving non-cash help.
Potential Impacts
- SSI recipients: Many could receive higher monthly benefits (up to $943 for individuals in 2024, potentially more without in-kind reductions), helping low-income disabled, blind, or elderly people afford basics.
- Government agencies: Social Security Administration (SSA) faces higher program costs (SSI spending could rise) but less paperwork for valuing in-kind aid.
- Citizens and families: Encourages family-provided help (e.g., living rent-free with relatives) without reducing benefits; no direct international effects.
- Taxpayers: Potential increase in federal SSI expenditures, estimated in billions over time depending on uptake.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- SSI beneficiaries: Primarily low-income seniors (65+), disabled adults/children, and blind individuals (about 7.5 million recipients).
- Families and caregivers: Those providing in-kind support, now without benefit reductions.
- Social Security Administration: Handles SSI administration and benefit adjustments.
- U.S. taxpayers: Bear increased program costs.
- Recent immigrants: Affected by sponsor income rules for SSI deeming (attributing sponsor's income/resources to them).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Streamlines SSI income rules, reducing disputes over in-kind valuations; aligns with simplified welfare policies but may face challenges if seen as overly generous.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; Congress has broad authority over social welfare spending.
- Political: Could appeal to advocates for the poor/disabled by removing "welfare cliffs" (where help reduces benefits), but draws scrutiny from fiscal conservatives over costs. Name ("Savings and Efficiency") suggests administrative savings, though primary effect is benefit expansion.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-04-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-15 — PDF (3 pages)