Schakowsky, Grijalva, Moylan, Warren, 30+ Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Update, Expand Lifeline Benefits for Seniors, Americans with Disabilities

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), and James Moylan (GU-AL) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led over 30 lawmakers in introducing the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act, a bipartisan bill to strengthen critical SSI benefits that support nearly 8 million seniors and Americans with disabilities. The bill would make much-needed updates to the benefits program — much of which hasn’t been updated since it was first established over five decades ago — and will expand benefits eligibility, increase cash payments, and fix rules that currently penalize Americans for trying to save money.

“Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a vital lifeline for millions of low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and families struggling to make ends meet,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Today’s SSI system still relies on outdated, overly burdensome rules written decades ago, leaving far too many beneficiaries living in poverty. This legislation will modernize and strengthen SSI by raising asset and income limits, establishing a livable minimum benefit, ending punitive reductions, and extending benefits to eligible residents of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Every person deserves to age and live with dignity, and Congress must act to ensure SSI fulfills its promise.”

“For millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and families raising children with high needs, Supplemental Security Income is the last line of defense against poverty,” said Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva. “The program has not been meaningfully updated since the 1970s, forcing people to live far below the poverty line just to qualify for help. The SSI Restoration Act will finally modernize this lifeline by increasing benefit levels, updating outdated asset limits, and eliminating punitive rules that trap people in poverty. Our seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers deserve the dignity and security that this program was always meant to provide.”

“SSI is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans — but the program is five decades out-of-date, leaving people behind and even punishing them for trying to save up,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “At a time when Donald Trump’s policies are already driving up everyday costs, we need to make sure seniors and Americans with disabilities can afford their basic needs. My bill will expand and strengthen SSI benefits to deliver some real relief.”

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was first signed into law in 1972, becoming the first fully federalized disability program to provide disabled Americans with benefits. Today, nearly eight million Americans rely on SSI to meet their basic needs.

While SSI is still a key source of federal income support for older and disabled Americans, the system has barely been updated since it was first established more than fifty years ago. Currently, many of the program’s original income and asset limits — which eligible recipients may not exceed — fall below the poverty line, often trapping beneficiaries in poverty and falling short of the program’s mission.

The SSI Restoration Act will expand and strengthen benefits by:

• Increasing “income disregard” amounts, which have not changed since 1974
• Updating the asset limit to $10,000 / $20,000 for an eligible couple
• Increasing the benefit rate to 100% of the federal poverty level and repealing the marriage penalty
• Repealing penalties for in-kind support, resource transfers, state taxes and tribal benefits
• Streamlining lump-sum and back payments
• Extending the program to the U.S. territories

The bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Andre Carson (IN-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).

The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

The bill is endorsed by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Health and Disability, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), American Society on Aging, ASSIST Program, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Benefits Law Center, Bread for the City, California Alliance for Retired Americans, California Association of Food Banks. Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Medicare Advocacy, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Cure SMA, Disability Belongs, Economic Policy Institute, Educate. Advocate., Empire Justice Center, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Homeless Action Center, Homeless Advocacy Project, Inner City Law Center, Justice in Aging, Lakeshore Foundation, Latinos for a Secure Retirement, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Legal Council for Health Justice, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of Disability Representatives, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council of Gray Panthers Networks, National Council on Aging, National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA), National Organization for Women, National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), National Respite Coalition, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, New York Legal Assistance Group, Paralyzed Veterans of America, People With Disabilities Foundation, Public Justice Center, SAGE, Service Employees International Union, Social Security Works, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Strengthen Social Security Coalition, The Arc of the United States, Triage Cancer, USAging, and Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

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