hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Doubles personal allowances for institutionalized SSI recipients and adds cost-of-living adjustments.
Rep. Dexter (D), Rep. Carey (R) introduced it in the House.
Introduced in the House, no vote yet.
The "Modernize SSI Stipends Act" aims to significantly increase the monthly personal spending money for individuals and couples in institutions who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It proposes to double the allowance for individuals from $360 to $720 and for couples from $720 to $1,440. Importantly, it also ensures these amounts will be adjusted annually for inflation, which wasn't happening before. The bill was introduced by Rep. Dexter and Rep. Carey and is currently under review by the House Ways and Means Committee.
Introduced Feb 13, 2026
The bill, H.R. 7573, was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 13, 2026. It has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for consideration. For this bill to become law, it must first be approved by the committee, then pass a vote in the full House of Representatives. After that, it would need to pass the Senate and then be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who live in institutions (like nursing homes) would see their monthly personal allowance double from $360 to $720. For couples, it would increase from $720 to $1,440. These new allowances would also be adjusted annually for inflation through cost-of-living adjustments, meaning their buying power would not erode over time. States would also be required to reflect these increases in their own supplementary payments to ensure beneficiaries fully receive the intended boost.
Supporters Say
This bill would give institutionalized individuals on SSI more dignity and financial flexibility for basic personal needs.
Critics Say
Increasing these allowances could add to federal spending and potentially impact state budgets.
Supporters would likely argue that the current allowances for institutionalized SSI recipients are outdated and insufficient for basic personal needs, and that this adjustment is long overdue to help a vulnerable population maintain some quality of life. Critics might raise concerns about the overall cost to the federal budget and potential fiscal implications for states that provide supplementary payments to these individuals.