S.73 - Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act; EMPSA (119th Congress)
Summary
The "Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act" (EMPSA) aims to amend Title XVI of the Social Security Act. It seeks to ensure that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are not reduced due to marriage. The bill addresses income and resource deeming rules, specifying that a spouse's income and resources should not affect an individual's eligibility or benefit amount.
Expected Effects
If enacted, EMPSA would change how SSI benefits are calculated for eligible married individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It would allow these individuals to receive benefits at the same rate as single individuals, regardless of their spouse's income or resources. This could lead to increased financial stability for affected families.
Potential Benefits
- Financial Stability: Ensures individuals with disabilities don't lose SSI benefits due to marriage.
- Reduced Burden: Eases the financial strain on families with disabled members.
- Improved Quality of Life: Provides more resources for healthcare, housing, and other essential needs.
- Promotes Independence: Allows individuals to maintain a degree of financial independence within their marriage.
- Fairness: Addresses a perceived inequity in the current SSI system.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Government Spending: May increase federal expenditures on SSI benefits.
- Potential for Abuse: Could create incentives for strategic financial arrangements to maximize benefits.
- Complexity: Adds complexity to the SSI system, potentially increasing administrative costs.
- Limited Scope: Only addresses the marriage penalty for a specific subset of SSI recipients.
- Unintended Consequences: May disincentivize marriage in some cases due to potential loss of other benefits.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution (Preamble). Congress has broad authority to legislate for the general welfare, and this bill aims to improve the well-being of a vulnerable population. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).