EMPSA Act

This bill would end the “marriage penalty” in SSI for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. If you’re 18 or older and have a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability, your SSI eligibility and payment would be based on your own income and resources—not your spouse’s—and your benefit would be paid at the individual rate even if you’re married. In short, getting married would not reduce your SSI just because your spouse has income or savings.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Adults age 18+ with a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability who receive or apply for SSI.
• What changes: Spouse’s income and resources are no longer counted; marital status doesn’t lower the benefit amount; benefits are paid at the individual rate for eligible people even if married .
• When: The bill changes SSI rules, but the provided text does not state an effective date.