Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
S4001119th CongressWALLET
Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would raise SSI benefit levels and modernize eligibility to make payments larger and fairer while extending coverage to U.S. territories. It would increase income and resource protections, repeal the marriage penalty, and clarify which payments do not count as income or resources.
Show full summary
- Low-income individuals and couples: Sets 2026 benefit floors ($1,752 for a single individual, $2,628 for a couple) and would tie future individual benefits to the annual poverty guideline, removes the marriage penalty, and raises income and resource caps to reduce benefit loss.
- People with savings or special payments: Expands earned and general income exclusions (for example raising the earned income exclusion to $6,149), excludes retirement accounts from countable resources, and lengthens certain resource exclusions to 21 months.
- Territories and tribal recipients: Extends SSI to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, allows the Commissioner to adapt rules for those areas, and excludes Indian general welfare benefits from income and resources.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Bigger SSI checks and no marriage penalty
This bill would change how monthly SSI rates are set. For calendar years 1974 through 2026 the single rate would be fixed at $1,752 and the couple rate at $2,628 (or higher if another statutory adjustment applies). For calendar years after 2026 the single-month rate would equal the prior year’s HHS poverty guideline for one person, minus any non-excluded income. The couple rate after 2026 would be twice the single-person guideline, minus non-excluded income of both spouses. The bill would also use Title II marriage determinations to set SSI marital status.
Higher income and asset limits
This bill would raise several SSI income and resource thresholds for 2026 and then index them. In 2026 the general income exclusion would be $1,892 and the earned income exclusion $6,149. Countable resource limits in 2026 would be $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples. After 2026 those amounts would rise yearly using the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers, never falling below the 2026 levels. The bill also lengthens one resource exclusion period from 9 months to 21 months.
SSI access for four U.S. territories
This bill would extend SSI to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. It would treat United States nationals in those places like citizens for SSI. The bill would remove prior limits on total territorial payments and let the Social Security Commissioner waive or change some rules to fit local conditions. Eligible low-income residents there would be able to receive SSI payments if enacted.
Fewer account rules, but Medicaid checks
This bill would remove several strict rules on past-due SSI and transfers. It would repeal a requirement that some past-due SSI be paid in installments. It would end the special dedicated-account rule and say money moved from those old accounts into another account would not count as income or resources. The bill would also repeal the statutory penalty for giving away assets below fair market value. At application and redetermination SSA would inform individuals about Medicaid rules and share relevant information with State Medicaid agencies.
More income and resource exclusions
This bill would stop counting several items when SSA figures SSI eligibility and resources. It would exclude in-kind support (food or shelter) from ‘‘all other income.’' It would exclude refunds of State earned income or child tax credits from income and resources. It would exclude Indian general welfare payments and many qualified retirement or deferred compensation accounts from countable resources. It would also say sponsor cash already reflected in deemed income is not counted again.
Single start date for all changes
This bill would set one delayed effective date for its changes. The amendments would take effect on the first day of the first calendar month that begins after the date that is one year after enactment. This gives agencies and applicants about a year to prepare.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov