H.R. 1389: Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act

This bill, titled the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act, aims to secure the marriage rights of Disabled Adult Children in relation to Social Security benefits and other forms of assistance. Below are the key provisions of the bill:

1. Elimination of Marriage Restrictions

The bill proposes changes to the Social Security Act that would:

• Remove the requirement that a Disabled Adult Child must be unmarried to receive benefits.
• Clarify that benefits will continue until the child’s death, rather than ending upon marriage.

2. Modification of Marital Relationship Rules

The bill will revise the way marital relationships are determined under Social Security. Specifically, it states that if two individuals are recognized as married for certain benefits, they will be considered married for all relevant purposes under Social Security.

3. Changes to Income and Resource Rules

It introduces new rules on how income and resources are treated for married individuals receiving benefits. In particular:

• For married individuals obtaining child insurance benefits due to disability, their eligibility and benefit amount will not consider the other spouse’s income or resources.

4. Retention of Medicaid for Married Individuals

The bill ensures that married individuals entitled to child’s insurance benefits due to disability can still receive Medicaid, even if their marital status changes their eligibility under usual income rules.

5. Congressional Sense of Support

This section expresses the intent of Congress to support Disabled Adult Children in maintaining their eligibility for various benefits regardless of their marital status. It emphasizes:

• That being married should not affect their eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits.
• Protection from any local laws that might restrict benefits based on marital status.
• Access to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits should not depend on their geographic location.

Relevant Companies

None found.