Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

This bill would extend Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to people living in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It would remove the cap on total federal SSI payments to the territories, treat U.S. nationals the same as U.S. citizens for SSI, and add these territories to the program’s definition of the United States. It also lets the Social Security Administration adjust certain rules to fit local needs in each territory. The changes would start on the first day of the first federal fiscal year that begins at least one year after the bill becomes law.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; and people who are U.S. nationals in these areas.
• What changes: SSI becomes available in these territories; the overall payment cap is removed; territories are included in the program’s geographic scope; and SSA can waive or modify certain rules to adapt the program locally.
• When: Takes effect at the start of the first federal fiscal year that begins one year or more after enactment.