Us Congress Senate Bill SB73

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/25
• Refer: 1/13/25

Caption

Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act or EMPSAThis bill excludes a spouse's income and resources when determining eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and disregards marital status when calculating the SSI benefit amount, for an adult who has a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability. (SSI is a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet basic needs.)

Impact

If enacted, SB73 would amend current federal laws concerning the eligibility and benefit amounts for individuals with disabilities. It sets specific criteria under which these individuals would remain eligible for SSI benefits without the detrimental effects of the 'marriage penalty.' The new regulations would address income rules, stating that any income or resources of a spouse should not be counted in determining benefits for the disabled partner. This change is expected to provide more financial stability for disabled individuals who wish to marry without losing crucial support from SSI.

Summary

Senate Bill 73, known as the Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act, proposes significant amendments to Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The central objective of the bill is to ensure that adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are not faced with a reduction in their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits solely due to their marital status. Currently, when individuals with disabilities marry, their SSI benefits often decrease because the income and resources of their spouse are counted against their eligibility. This bill seeks to rectify that situation by allowing disabled individuals to retain their full benefits regardless of their marriage status.

Contention

While SB73 is largely seen as a progressive step towards equality for individuals with disabilities, there are points of contention that might arise during the legislative process. Advocates argue that the legislation removes an unnecessary financial barrier for disabled individuals, allowing them to lead more fulfilling personal lives. However, critics may voice concerns regarding the potential budgetary implications and how this bill interacts with existing welfare programs. There may also be debates surrounding the enforcement of the new eligibility criteria and the ability of government agencies to manage these adjustments effectively.

Congress_id

119-S-73

Policy_area

Social Welfare

Introduced_date

2025-01-13