The current maximum benefit rate under Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is $771 for an eligible individual and $1157 for an eligible couple. It is past time to start increasing this amount with the rate of inflation. In addition to this amount being below 100% of the current poverty level, there are also a few seriously problematic restrictions with the SSI program, that only serve to keep people in poverty. The SSI Restoration Act remedies these problems.
Today, Congressman Grijalva introduced the SSI Restoration Act of 2019. This Act will:
- Update the general income exclusion from $20 to $123 per month because it hasn’t been updated since 1972;
- Update the earned income exclusion from $65 to $399 per month;
- Update the resource limit from $2,000 to $10,000;
- Repeal the in-kind support and maintenance provision, which will allow folks who are couch surfing or living with parents to have their benefits reduced; and
- Repeal penalties for resource transfers, marriage, and state tax credits.
While these corrections to the SSI program will not increase the amount of an individual’s monthly SSI check, it will remove unnecessary barriers to independent living (e.g. saving first and last month of rent, saving for a car, etc), receiving help from family members, and attempting to return to work.
To learn more about the bill, read on.
Section.by.Section.SSI
