H.R. 7573: Modernize SSI Stipends Act

This bill, known as the Modernize SSI Stipends Act, aims to amend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which is part of the Social Security Act, specifically for individuals and couples who are institutionalized. The main changes proposed by the bill include:

Doubling Personal Needs Allowances

The bill seeks to double the minimum monthly personal needs allowances for individuals and couples receiving SSI while living in institutions. Specifically:

• The current minimum allowance of $360 will increase to $720 for individuals.
• The allowance for couples will go from $720 to $1,440.

These changes will take effect for benefits starting after December 31, 2025.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

The bill also adjusts how cost-of-living adjustments apply to these allowances:

• It amends the law to ensure that these personal needs allowances will be updated based on cost-of-living adjustments, which were not previously applicable.

This provision will also be effective for increases in benefit amounts after December 31, 2025.

State Supplementary Payments

Additionally, the bill modifies state supplementary payments that are provided alongside federal SSI benefits:

• It updates a reference in the law from the year 1987 to 2025, indicating when the calculation for these payments should be based.
• The bill requires that state payments will reflect any cost-of-living adjustments made to SSI benefits that occur after September 2025.

This change is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

General Provisions

All provisions outlined in this bill are intended to modernize the SSI stipend structure, making it more responsive to the needs of individuals and couples in institutional settings while ensuring that the allowances are adjusted to keep pace with inflation and cost-of-living increases.

Relevant Companies

None found