SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill changes how the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program counts income. Currently, if someone gives an SSI recipient free food or a place to stay, the government treats that help as income and reduces the person's monthly check. This bill would stop that practice.
• Under the new rules, "in-kind support and maintenance" would no longer count as income. That means people on SSI could accept groceries, meals, or free housing from family or friends without losing any of their government benefits.
• The bill also removes the "one-third reduction rule," which currently slashes SSI payments by roughly one-third when a recipient lives in someone else's household and receives food and shelter. Eliminating this rule simplifies the program and removes a major penalty for people who depend on family support.
• For sponsored immigrants on SSI, the bill keeps the rule that cash support from a sponsor does not count as income during the first three years after entry, but removes references to in-kind support in that context as well.
• If passed, these changes would take effect one year after the bill becomes law, giving the Social Security Administration time to update its systems, train staff, and notify recipients.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.