Gillibrand and congressional cohorts call for SSI benefits update

WASHINGTON, D.C. | Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined dozens of House and Senate lawmakers in introducing the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act, legislation that would strengthen the critical SSI benefits that support over seven million seniors and Americans with disabilities. The bill would make much-needed updates to the benefits program — much of which hasn't been updated since it was first established over five decades ago — and will expand benefits eligibility, increase cash payments, and fix rules that currently penalize Americans for trying to save money. "Supplemental Security Income forms a crucial lifeline for thousands of low-income New Yorkers, but outdated rules and antiquated policies mean that too many seniors and people with disabilities aren't receiving the benefits they need," said Sen. Gillibrand. "Our Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act will finally modernize this critical program by expanding eligibility, increasing benefits, and fixing outdated rules that penalize Americans for trying to save. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I will keep fighting to strengthen this critical program and ensure every American can live with dignity and basic economic security." Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was first signed into law in 1972, becoming the first fully federalized disability program to provide disabled Americans with benefits. Today, more than seven million Americans rely on SSI to meet their basic needs. While SSI is still a key source of federal income support for older and disabled Americans, the system has not been updated since it was first established more than 50 years ago. Currently, many of the program's original income and asset limits — which eligible recipients may not exceed — fall below the poverty line, often trapping beneficiaries in poverty and falling short of the program's mission. The SSI Restoration Act will expand and strengthen benefits by: Increasing "income disregard" amounts, which have not changed since 1974 Updating the asset limit to $10,000 / $20,000 for an eligible couple Increasing the benefit rate to 100 percent of the federal poverty level and repealing the marriage penalty Repealing penalties for in-kind support, resource transfers, state taxes and tribal benefits Streamlining lump-sum and back payments Extending the program to the U.S. territories In addition to Sen. Gillibrand, the legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Representatives Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), and James Moylan (R-GU-AL) led companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. "SSI is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans — but the program is five decades out-of-date, leaving people behind and even punishing them for trying to save up," said Sen. Warren. "At a time when Donald Trump's policies are already driving up everyday costs, we need to make sure seniors and Americans with disabilities can afford their basic needs. My bill will expand and strengthen SSI benefits to deliver some real relief." The bill is endorsed by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Health and Disability, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), American Society on Aging, ASSIST Program, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Benefits Law Center, Bread for the City, California Alliance for Retired Americans, California Association of Food Banks. Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Medicare Advocacy, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Cure SMA, Disability Belongs, Economic Policy Institute, Educate. Advocate., Empire Justice Center, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Homeless Action Center, Homeless Advocacy Project, Inner City Law Center, Justice in Aging, Lakeshore Foundation, Latinos for a Secure Retirement, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Legal Council for Health Justice, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of Disability Representatives, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council of Gray Panthers Networks, National Council on Aging, National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA), National Organization for Women, National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), National Respite Coalition, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, New York Legal Assistance Group, Paralyzed Veterans of America, People With Disabilities Foundation, Public Justice Center, SAGE, Service Employees International Union, Social Security Works, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Strengthen Social Security Coalition, The Arc of the United States, Triage Cancer, USAging, and Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). Read the full text of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act here.

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Gillibrand and congressional cohorts call for SSI benefits update

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