H.R. 6193: Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act

The Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, designated as H.R. 6193, aims to provide additional financial assistance to specific groups of individuals during a defined period. This bill proposes that starting from January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, eligible recipients will receive an extra $200 per month, known as economic recovery payments. The criteria for eligibility for these payments includes individuals who receive:

• Social Security benefits (Title II of the Social Security Act)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Railroad retirement benefits
• Veterans disability compensation or pension benefits
• Civil Service Retirement System benefits

The bill outlines several key points regarding the implementation and administration of these payments:

Eligibility and Payment Details

1. **Eligibility**: Individuals who are entitled to any of the aforementioned benefits during the applicable period will qualify for the additional payment.

2. **One Payment per Month**: Eligible individuals can only receive one $200 payment per month, regardless of how many benefits they are entitled to.

3. **Residence Requirement**: Payments will only be issued to individuals residing in the 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Application and Certification Process

4. **Certification of Payments**: The Commissioner of Social Security, in collaboration with relevant agencies, will determine the individuals eligible for these payments and provide the necessary information to the Treasury for disbursement.

Exclusions and Limitations

5. **Exclusions**: If an individual is entitled to a benefit but it was not payable at a certain time due to specific reasons stated in the bill, they may be ineligible for the $200 payment during that period. Additionally, payments will not be made to individuals who die before the payment is certified.

Tax and Program Impact

6. **Tax Exemptions**: The additional $200 payments will be exempt from federal income tax and will not affect eligibility for other federal or state assistance programs.

Administrative Provisions

7. **Administrative Costs**: The bill allocates funding for the administration of these payments, including specific amounts for the Social Security Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

8. **Notice to Recipients**: Once payments begin, recipients will be informed of their eligibility and the payment delivery method. The notice will also clarify that these funds do not affect their income for federal tax purposes or eligibility for assistance programs.

Limitations on Payments

9. **Payment Constraint**: The legislation specifies that payments must be disbursed within 30 days of enactment and will cease after July 1, 2026, no matter when the individual's entitlement is certified.

Presidential Prohibition

10. **No Presidential Signature**: The bill stipulates that the President’s name cannot be included on the payment checks or documentation, ensuring the payments are strictly administrative in nature.

Relevant Companies

None found