HR4814-119

What This Bill Does

The Supplemental Security Income Equality Act would move Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa into the federal SSI program. It strikes the old Social Security Amendments language that blocked application in those territories, changes the title XVI definition of United States to include the four territories, removes section 1108 payment-limit language tied to total territorial payments, and adds U.S. nationals alongside citizens in SSI eligibility language. It also expands the residency language for SSI to include the territories. The Social Security Commissioner may waive or modify statutory SSI requirements for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa when needed to adapt the program to the territory's needs. The amendments take effect on the first day of the first federal fiscal year that begins at least one year after enactment.

Who Benefits and How

Low-income aged residents in Puerto Rico benefit because title XVI SSI cash assistance would become available in the territory. Disabled residents in Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa benefit from access to the federal SSI benefit structure. U.S. nationals in covered territories benefit because the bill inserts nationals alongside citizens in SSI eligibility provisions. Territorial social service agencies benefit from federal SSI replacing or supplementing less generous territorial assistance structures.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Social Security Administration field offices must implement SSI eligibility, payments, and adaptations across four additional territories. The Social Security Commissioner must decide which statutory requirements to waive or modify for territorial implementation. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of extending SSI cash benefits to newly covered territorial residents. Territorial benefit administrators must coordinate transition from existing local programs to federal SSI administration.

Key Provisions

• Extends title XVI SSI coverage to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
• Removes territorial payment-limit language in Social Security Act section 1108.
• Adds U.S. nationals to listed SSI citizenship eligibility provisions.
• Authorizes the Social Security Commissioner to waive or modify statutory requirements for territorial adaptation.
• Delays effectiveness until the first federal fiscal year beginning at least one year after enactment.