EMPSA

The Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act (EMPSA) would modify how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is calculated for adults with diagnosed intellectual or developmental disabilities. Currently, SSI eligibility and benefit amounts consider a spouse's income and resources, which can reduce or eliminate benefits for married individuals with disabilities. This bill would change that by disregarding the spouse's income and resources entirely when determining whether someone qualifies for SSI and how much they would receive.

If enacted, this change could allow married adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to receive SSI benefits they might otherwise lose due to their spouse's earnings or assets. This would remove what some view as a financial penalty for marriage, allowing individuals with disabilities to marry without losing critical income support. The bill is currently in the Senate and has been referred to committee for consideration, but has not yet been voted on by the full chamber.