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MaineLD 840132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Modernize the State Supplement to Supplemental Security Income by Removing Marriage Disincentives

Sponsored By: Mike Tipping (Democratic)

Became Law

GENERAL ASSISTANCEGENERAL ASSISTANCE - INCOME

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Fairer state SSI payments for couples

The state now uses a flat system for the SSI state supplement. Payments do not vary by person-by-person budgets, program category, or where you live. Amounts can differ by marital status and living arrangement only as federal SSI rules allow. For couples, the standard payment equals 1.5 times the individual benefit, except where a different rule in this law applies. The state also sets aside $36,828 in fiscal year 2026-27 so a qualifying couple, when both partners qualify, can receive the sum of two individual payments.

Higher state SSI checks and yearly raises

The state adds at least $8 a month for an individual and $12 for a couple on top of federal SSI. If you live in a department-defined living arrangement, but not in an adult foster or boarding home, the state can add up to $42 a month for an individual or $63 for a couple. Maine uses the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lower-level budget for Portland to set the need standard and guide benefit targets. Starting each July 1, the combined state and federal monthly amount rises by the April CPI. The department can recommend extra increases, but raises happen only if money is appropriated. If benefits already meet that BLS budget, the increase is limited to the CPI rise.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Tipping

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Amy Roeder

    Democratic • House

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laurie Osher

    Democratic • House

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 753

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/14/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-701) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  5. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) in concurrence. On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-701) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-701) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-701) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  7. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/23/2025House

  9. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-18).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/22/2025House

  10. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-18) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-18).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    4/17/2025Senate

  11. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  12. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/4/2025House

  13. Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    3/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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