H.R. 7828

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7828 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7828

To amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update eligibility for 
the supplemental security income program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 5, 2026

Mrs. Grijalva (for herself, Ms. Balint, Mr. Carson, Ms. Norton, Ms. 
Jayapal, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Lieu, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. 
Moylan, Ms. Pingree, Ms. Plaskett, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Soto, Ms. 
Stansbury, Ms. Titus, and Ms. Tlaib) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update eligibility for 
the supplemental security income program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Supplemental 
Security Income Restoration Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Update in eligibility for the supplemental security income 
program.
Sec. 3. Update in supplemental security income benefit amounts and 
repeal of marriage penalty.
Sec. 4. Support and maintenance furnished in kind not included as 
income.
Sec. 5. Exclusion of retirement accounts from resources.
Sec. 6. Repeal of penalty for disposal of resources for less than fair 
market value.
Sec. 7. Clarifying the treatment of certain state tax credits.
Sec. 8. Treatment of tribal general welfare payments.
Sec. 9. Elimination of dedicated accounts for certain past-due 
benefits.
Sec. 10. Elimination of installment payment requirement.
Sec. 11. Extension of period of exclusion of certain payments from 
countable resources.
Sec. 12. Modification of rules to determine marital relationships.
Sec. 13. Extension of the supplemental security income program to 
Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
Sec. 14. Effective date.

SEC. 2. UPDATE IN ELIGIBILITY FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME 
PROGRAM.

(a) Update in General Income Exclusion.--Section 1612(b)(2)(A) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382a(b)(2)(A)) is amended by 
striking ``$240'' and inserting ``$1,892 (increased as described in 
section 1617(d) for each calendar year after 2026)''.
(b) Update in Earned Income Exclusion.--Section 1612(b)(4) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1382a(b)(4)) is amended by striking ``$780'' each place 
it appears and inserting ``$6,149 (increased as described in section 
1617(d) for each calendar year after 2026''.
(c) Update in Resource Limit for Individuals and Couples.--Section 
1611(a)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(a)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$2,250'' and all 
that follows through the end of the subparagraph and inserting 
``$20,000 in calendar year 2026, and shall be increased as 
described in section 1617(d) for each subsequent calendar 
year.''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``$1,500'' and all 
that follows through the end of the subparagraph and inserting 
``$10,000 in calendar year 2026, and shall be increased as 
described in section 1617(d) for each subsequent calendar 
year.''.
(d) Inflation Adjustment.--Section 1617 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382f) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``; inflation 
adjustment'' after ``benefits''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) In the case of any calendar year after 2026, each of the 
amounts specified in sections 1611(a)(3), 1612(b)(2)(A), and 1612(b)(4) 
shall be increased by multiplying each such amount by the quotient (not 
less than 1) obtained by dividing--
``(1) the average of the Consumer Price Index for Elderly 
Consumers (CPI-E, as published by the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics of the Department of Labor) for the 12-month period 
ending with September of the preceding calendar year, by
``(2) such average for the 12-month period ending with 
September 2026.''.

SEC. 3. UPDATE IN SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFIT AMOUNTS AND 
REPEAL OF MARRIAGE PENALTY.

(a) In General.--Section 1611(b) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1382(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b)(1) The benefit under this title for an individual who does 
not have an eligible spouse shall be payable--
``(A) for calendar years 1974 through 2026, at the rate of 
$1,752 (or, if greater, the amount determined under section 
1617), and
``(B) for calendar years after 2026, at the rate equal to 
the annual poverty guideline for the calendar year preceding 
such calendar year (as updated annually in the Federal Register 
by the Department of Health and Human Services under the 
authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1981) as applicable to a single 
individual,
reduced by the amount of income, not excluded pursuant to 
section 1612(b), of such individual.
``(2) The benefit under this title for an individual who has an 
eligible spouse shall be payable--
``(A) for calendar years 1974 through 2026, at the rate of 
$2,628 (or, if greater, the amount determined under section 
1617), and
``(B) for calendar years after 2026, at the rate equal to 
twice the rate described in paragraph (1)(B),
reduced by the amount of income, not excluded pursuant to section 
1612(b), of such individual and spouse.''.
(b) Conforming Changes to Cost-of-Living Adjustments.--Section 
1617(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382f(a)(1)) is amended by striking 
``(a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(A), (b)(1), and (b)(2)'' and inserting ``(a)(1)(A) 
and (a)(2)(A)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to calendar years after 2026.

SEC. 4. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FURNISHED IN KIND NOT INCLUDED AS 
INCOME.

(a) In General.--Section 1612(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382a(a)(2)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(other than support or maintenance 
furnished in kind)'' after ``all other income''; and
(2) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``or kind'';
(B) by striking clause (i) and redesignating 
clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), 
respectively; and
(C) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ``and the provisions of clause (i) shall not 
be applicable''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 1611(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(c)) is 
amended by striking paragraph (6) and redesignating paragraphs 
(7) through (10) as paragraphs (6) through (9), respectively.
(2) Section 1612(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382a(a)(2)) 
is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``and'' at 
the end;
(B) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``; and'' and 
inserting a period;
(C) by moving subparagraph (G) 2 ems to the right; 
and
(D) by striking subparagraph (H).
(3) Section 1621(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382j(c)) is 
amended to read as follows:
``(c) In determining the amount of income of an alien during the 
period of 5 years after such alien's entry into the United States, 
support or maintenance furnished in cash to the alien by such alien's 
sponsor (to the extent that it reflects income or resources which were 
taken into account in determining the amount of income and resources to 
be deemed to the alien under subsection (a) or (b) of this section) 
shall not be considered to be income of such alien under section 
1612(a)(2)(A).''.

SEC. 5. EXCLUSION OF RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS FROM RESOURCES.

Section 1613(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382b(a)) is 
amended--
(1) in paragraph (16), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (17), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (17) the following new 
paragraph:
``(18) any qualified retirement plan or eligible deferred 
compensation plan (as such terms are defined in sections 
4974(c) and 457(b), respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986).''.

SEC. 6. REPEAL OF PENALTY FOR DISPOSAL OF RESOURCES FOR LESS THAN FAIR 
MARKET VALUE.

Section 1613(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382b(c)) is amended to read 
as follows:
``(c) Notification of Medicaid Policy Restricting Eligibility of 
Institutionalized Individuals for Benefits Based on Disposal of 
Resources for Less Than Fair Market Value.--
``(1) In general.--At the time an individual (and the 
individual's eligible spouse, if any) applies for benefits 
under this title, and at the time the eligibility of an 
individual (and such spouse, if any) for such benefits is 
redetermined, the Commissioner of Social Security shall--
``(A) inform such individual of the provisions of 
section 1917(c) providing for a period of ineligibility 
for benefits under title XIX for individuals who make 
certain dispositions of resources for less than fair 
market value, and inform such individual that 
information obtained pursuant to subparagraph (B) will 
be made available to the State agency administering a 
State plan under title XIX (as provided in paragraph 
(2)); and
``(B) obtain from such individual information which 
may be used by the State agency in determining whether 
or not a period of ineligibility for such benefits 
would be required by reason of section 1917(c).
``(2) Provision of information to state medicaid 
agencies.--The Commissioner of Social Security shall make the 
information obtained under paragraph (1)(B) available, on 
request, to any State agency administering a State plan 
approved under title XIX.''.

SEC. 7. CLARIFYING THE TREATMENT OF CERTAIN STATE TAX CREDITS.

Title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382a) is amended--
(1) in section 1612(b)(19), by striking ``and any payment'' 
and all that follows through ``credit)'' and inserting ``and 
any refund of State income taxes made to such individual (or 
such spouse) by reason of a State earned income tax credit (as 
defined by the Secretary)''; and
(2) in section 1613(a)(11)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, and any 
refund of State income taxes made to such individual 
(or such spouse) by reason of a State child tax credit 
(as defined by the Secretary)'' before the semicolon; 
and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and any 
payment'' and all that follows through ``credit)'' and 
inserting ``and any refund of State income taxes made 
to such individual (or such spouse) by reason of a 
State earned income tax credit (as defined by the 
Secretary)''.

SEC. 8. TREATMENT OF TRIBAL GENERAL WELFARE PAYMENTS.

(a) Income Exclusion.--Section 1612(b) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1382a(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (25), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (26), by striking the period and inserting 
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(27) the value of any Indian general welfare benefit (as 
defined in section 139E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) 
received by such individual (or such spouse).''.
(b) Resource Exclusion.--Section 1613(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382b(a)), as amended by section 5 of this Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (17), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (18), by striking the period and inserting 
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(19) the value of any Indian general welfare benefit (as 
defined in section 139E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) 
received by such individual (or such spouse).''.

SEC. 9. ELIMINATION OF DEDICATED ACCOUNTS FOR CERTAIN PAST-DUE 
BENEFITS.

(a) In General.--Section 1631(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)) is amended by striking subparagraph (F).
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Relating to payments and procedures.--Section 
1631(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)), 
as amended by subsection (a), is amended--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and 
(I) as subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), respectively;
(B) in subparagraph (B)(vii)(I), by striking 
``subparagraph (I)'' and inserting ``subparagraph 
(H)'';
(C) in subparagraph (D)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking 
``subparagraphs (E) and (F)'' and inserting 
``subparagraph (E)''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking 
``subparagraph (I)'' and inserting 
``subparagraph (H)'';
(D) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``subparagraph 
(H)(ii)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (G)(ii)''; and
(E) in subparagraph (G)(i)(II), as redesignated by 
subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (I)'' and 
inserting ``subparagraph (H)''.
(2) Exclusions from income.--
(A) In general.--Section 1612(b) of the Social 
Security Act is amended--
(i) by striking paragraph (21); and
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (22) 
through (26) as paragraphs (21) through (25), 
respectively.
(B) Conforming amendment.--Section 1613(a)(17) of 
such Act is amended by striking ``section 1612(b)(26)'' 
and inserting ``section 1612(b)(25)''.
(3) Exclusions from resources.--Section 1613(a) of the 
Social Security Act, as amended by section 5, is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (12); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (18) 
as paragraphs (12) through (17), respectively.
(c) Treatment of Amounts Transferred From Dedicated Accounts.--
Amounts transferred from an account established on behalf of an 
individual as described in section 1631(a)(2)(F) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(F)) (as in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act) into another account of the individual as a 
result of the amendments made by this section shall not be taken into 
account as income or resources of such individual for purposes of 
determining the eligibility of such individual or any other individual 
for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of such benefits or 
assistance, under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 
et seq.), under any other Federal program, or under any State or local 
program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.

SEC. 10. ELIMINATION OF INSTALLMENT PAYMENT REQUIREMENT.

Section 1631(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)) is 
amended by striking paragraph (10).

SEC. 11. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN PAYMENTS FROM 
COUNTABLE RESOURCES.

Section 1613(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382b(a)(7)) is amended by striking ``9 months'' and inserting ``21 
months''.

SEC. 12. MODIFICATION OF RULES TO DETERMINE MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS.

(a) In General.--Section 1614(d) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1382c(d)) is amended by striking ``except that'' and all that 
follows through the end of the subsection and inserting ``except that 
if two individuals have been determined to be married under section 
216(h)(1) for purposes of title II they shall be considered (from and 
after the date of such determination or the date of their application 
for benefits under this title, whichever is later) to be married for 
purposes of this title.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Title XVI of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 1611(e)(3)--
(A) by striking ``a husband and wife'' each place 
it appears and inserting ``two married individuals''; 
and
(B) by striking ``such husband and wife'' and 
inserting ``such married individuals'';
(2) in section 1614(b)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ``the 
husband or wife of'' and inserting ``married to''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``husband 
and wife'' and inserting ``married''; and
(3) in section 1631(b)(1)(A)(i), by striking ``husband or 
wife'' and inserting ``spouse''.

SEC. 13. EXTENSION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM TO 
PUERTO RICO, THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS, GUAM, AND 
AMERICAN SAMOA.

(a) In General.--Section 303 of the Social Security Amendments of 
1972 (86 Stat. 1484) is amended by striking subsection (b).
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Definition of state.--Section 1101(a)(1) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)) is amended by striking the 
5th sentence and inserting the following: ``Such term when used 
in title XVI includes Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.''.
(2) Elimination of limit on total payments to the 
territories.--Section 1108 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) is 
amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``; 
limitation on total payments'';
(B) by striking subsection (a); and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (2) 
and (4) and redesignating paragraphs (3) and (5) as 
paragraphs (2) and (4), respectively.
(3) United states nationals treated the same as citizens.--
Section 1614(a)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(1)(B)) is 
amended--
(A) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ``or national,'' 
after ``citizen'';
(B) in clause (i)(II), by adding ``; or'' at the 
end; and
(C) in clause (ii), by inserting ``or national'' 
after ``citizen''.
(4) Territories included in geographic meaning of the 
united states.--Section 1614(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382c(e)) is amended by striking ``and the District of 
Columbia'' and inserting ``, the District of Columbia, Puerto 
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American 
Samoa''.
(c) Waiver Authority.--The Commissioner of Social Security may 
waive or modify any statutory requirement relating to the provision of 
benefits under the Supplemental Security Income Program under title XVI 
of the Social Security Act in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
Islands, Guam, or American Samoa, to the extent that the Commissioner 
deems it necessary in order to adapt the program to the needs of the 
territory involved.

SEC. 14. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the 1st day of 
the 1st calendar month that begins after the 1-year period that begins 
with the date of the enactment of this Act.
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