Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
Introduced
Summary
Restricts federal benefits to verified U.S. citizens and nationals. This bill would require applicants to sign a written declaration under penalty of perjury and submit identity and citizenship documents that agencies must verify against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security records.
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- Individuals: People seeking federal assistance would need to attest to U.S. citizenship or nationality and provide documentary proof plus a photographic ID. Agencies would confirm names, Social Security numbers, and citizenship through SSA records and the DHS SAVE program and offer an appeal if checks fail.
- Agencies and oversight: The Office of Management and Budget director would set the declaration form and verification method within 30 days and may issue implementing rules. Inspectors General must monitor compliance and report to ensure programs follow the law.
- Providers and penalties: Entities that willfully or repeatedly give benefits to ineligible people or fail to submit required information could be barred and placed on the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities until improper benefits are recovered.
- Scope and timing: The requirement covers most federal assistance programs that base eligibility on income or resources, including certain Social Security Administration benefits. New determinations would need to meet the rules starting one year after enactment and existing eligibility must comply within two years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
New citizenship checks for benefit eligibility
If enacted, this bill would bar you from a federal assistance benefit unless you meet new citizenship checks. You would have to sign a sworn written declaration that you are a U.S. citizen or national. Within 30 days of enactment, OMB would set the declaration form and the verification process. For verification you would need to give documents that prove citizenship, a photo ID, and your name and Social Security number. Providers would send your name and SSN to the Social Security Administration and to Homeland Security and check the SAVE system. If documents or confirmations are missing, you must be told you are ineligible and given a chance to appeal. The checks would apply to eligibility decisions made one year after enactment, and current recipients would lose eligibility after two years unless they satisfy the rule.
Broad definition of federal assistance
If enacted, the bill would define "Federal assistance benefit" to cover help given to a person or to their household. It would include benefits given under grants or contracts when those awards pay for assistance to people. The bill would not cover tax programs under the Internal Revenue Code. It would explicitly include benefits authorized by the Social Security Act. These definitions would take effect when the bill becomes law.
New penalties and reporting for providers
If enacted, OMB could determine that a provider repeatedly gave benefits to people who did not meet the citizenship rules or failed to send required data. A provider found to have done so would be barred from furnishing that benefit and placed on the federal excluded list until improper benefits are recovered. Inspectors General would have to report regularly on how agencies apply the citizenship restriction. These enforcement steps would take effect on enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
WI • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
PA • R
Sponsored 1/22/2026
Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Sponsored 1/22/2026
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Sponsored 1/22/2026
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov