The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act and Its Proposed Changes

The SSI Restoration Act has been introduced in both houses of Congress and seeks to update the eligibility criteria for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The new changes will extend coverage to those who are 65 or older, disabled, or blind.

Those of us here at The Khaki Law Firm are excited about what this could mean for many of our clients and the people that are currently in desperate need of help that don’t qualify due to income. As healthcare and other household expenses becomes more and more expensive, the current income levels are truly limiting people from getting the support they need. For most people, the financial benefits of SSI are helpful, but the true value is the access to healthcare that they didn’t have or couldn’t afford. This could truly change lives and help more people get the care they need.

Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees the SSI program, and its purpose is to provide benefits to individuals who have limited income and resources to provide for themselves. SSI differs from other Social Security programs in that previous work history is not factored into an applicant’s eligibility for benefits.

Proposed Changes to SSI

The proposed changes to SSI include:

• Increasing a person’s resource limit from $2000 for individuals and $3000 for couples to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively;
• Increasing the general and earned income disregards from $20 for individuals and $65 for couples to $123 and $399 per month, respectively;
• Automatically adjusting the resource limit and income disregards in future years due to inflation; and
• Eliminating consideration of in-kind support and maintenance as countable income.

Progress of Bill

U.S. Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) are the lead sponsors for the SSI Restoration Act in the House. While, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is pushing the bill in the Senate.

Although Congress is trying its best to implement these changes, your support can help. Please contact your Representatives and Senators today. If your Representative is among the 30 sponsors of the House bill, or if you have a Senator who is sponsoring the Senate bill, you can call to thank them for their efforts.

If your congressperson or senator is not a cosponsor, please encourage him or her to become one. We will continue to monitor the progress of the SSI Restoration Act and update you with any major changes. With more supporters, we raise the likelihood of getting this bill passed.