US Lawmakers Plan Bill to Modernise the SSI Programme to Benefit Millions of Americans

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly benefit scheme for Americans with limited income or resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability. Even children with a qualifying disability can apply to receive monthly SSI payments. You can apply for SSI online or in person at the local Social Security office.

In 2026, the maximum monthly SSI payments are $994 for individual beneficiaries and $1,491 for eligible married couples. About 7.4 million Americans rely on monthly SSI checks for their basic needs.

A bipartisan group of 30 Washington, DC, lawmakers plans to reintroduce a bill, called the SSI Restoration Act, to modernise the anti-poverty programme by expanding and bolstering SSI benefits amid rising costs and sticky inflation, according to the bill's sponsor, Senator Elizabeth Warren.

'SSI is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans — but the programme is five decades out-of-date, leaving people behind and even punishing them for trying to save up,' Warren added.

Major SSI Changes Proposed

SSI recipients are limited to $20 per month in non-employment income, which could be from Social Security benefits or a pension. This threshold was fixed in 1974 and has remained unchanged since. The issue beneficiaries face is that if income increases, the Social Security Administration (SSA) could reduce benefits or limit eligibility. Under the new bill, this threshold will be bumped to $158 per month.

The bill also intends to adjust the earned income exclusion. Currently, an SSI recipient's first $65 in earnings does not count as income, and it could increase to $512 monthly if the new bill passes.

Another vital change would be to update the resource limitations for beneficiaries. Adults who are eligible for SSI typically do not earn more than $2,019 in monthly wages. The resource limit is about $3,000 for couples. Under the new bill, these limits would be raised to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for eligible couples, helping recipients save more for emergencies. Note that the new thresholds would be indexed to inflation and adjusted yearly.

Modifications to Marriage Penalty, Expansion to US Territories

The bill also proposes to raise the benefit rate to 100% of the federal poverty level. At the same time, the marriage penalty would be eliminated, as the proposal would set the benefit rate for couples at twice the individual rate. As of now, married couples who claim SSI receive 25% less than they would if they were not married.

The proposal would also eliminate penalties for in-kind support, such as food or shelter provided by friends or family. Notably, the bill would also make SSI benefits available to residents of U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Many individuals on SSI experience deep poverty, according to the Roosevelt Institute's research. 'It's not like these are people who are in some way abusing the system. They're just living a bare bones, threadbare existence because basically people forgot about them,' said the institute's director, Stephen Nuñez.

Two former Social Security Administration executives, Andrew Biggs and Jason Fichtner, also described SSI reform as 'far more cost-effective than fighting poverty through Social Security.' They believe that expanding SSI would lift Americans ages 65 and over out of poverty, and thereby help clear the way for lawmakers to have a 'rational debate over retirement policy.'