Federal SSI benefits — monthly cash payments for low-income elderly, blind, and disabled people — are currently unavailable to residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. This bill extends the SSI program to those four U.S. territories, giving eligible residents there access to the same federal benefit that residents of the 50 states already receive. U.S. nationals (not just citizens) living in the territories would also qualify under the updated eligibility rules. The Social Security Commissioner would have authority to adjust program rules to fit each territory's needs. Changes would take effect at the start of the first federal fiscal year that begins at least one year after the law is enacted.
Average Household Impact
- SSI eligibility — extended to residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, and American Samoa
Congressional Summary
Supplemental Security Income Equality ActThis bill extends Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to eligible residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. SSI is a federal assistance program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet basic needs. Under current law, residents of these territories are excluded from the program.Under the bill, the Social Security Administration may waive or modify statutory requirements relating to the provision of benefits as necessary to adapt the SSI program to each territory.The bill also eliminates a cap on payments to these territories from certain programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other grants to support aid for older individuals, blind individuals, and individuals with disabilities.Finally, the bill specifies that non-citizen U.S. nationals are eligible for SSI benefits under the same conditions as U.S. citizens. (Individuals born in American Samoa are nationals, but not citizens, of the United States.)
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-07-29
- Date Added
- 2026-05-29
- Source
- Congress.gov →
Like reading a bill in plain English?
We're building an app that does this for every bill in Congress and lets you tell your reps how you want them to vote. We're a small team getting ready to launch, and we're trying to show investors that real people want this. Be one of them. Help us get it built. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment the app is ready.