In January, Representative Valado (CA-22) introduced the Eliminating Marriage Penalty in SSI Act (EMPSA) alongside five original sponsors- Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6), Lisa
Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mike Lawler (R-NY-97), and Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19). This bill would amend the Social Security Act to ensure that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) income of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), such as Autism, will not be reduced because of marriage. Currently for individuals who receive SSI, marriage between two SSI beneficiaries results in a “marriage penalty”, a 25% reduction in the asset limit for SSI eligibility. This disincentivizes individuals with IDD to get married, which is unfair.
Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mike Lawler (R-NY-97), and Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19). This bill would amend the Social Security Act to ensure that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) income of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), such as Autism, will not be reduced because of marriage. Currently for individuals who receive SSI, marriage between two SSI beneficiaries results in a “marriage penalty”, a 25% reduction in the asset limit for SSI eligibility. This disincentivizes individuals with IDD to get married, which is unfair.
This bill is important in that it will allow individuals with IDD to marry without worry about their benefits being affected. Please use this action alert to educate your Members of Congress on why they should support this bill.