In September 2023, the Biden administration implemented new regulations for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that aim to provide greater financial relief to individuals with disabilities. The updated rules mitigate penalties for recipients who receive informal assistance from family or friends, as well as federal food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The impact of this policy shift is illustrated by Juana Torres, a 36-year-old single mother from Philadelphia, who will see an increase of $140 in her monthly SSI payments. Torres, raising four children, one of whom has special needs, expressed her gratitude for the changes, emphasizing their importance in alleviating financial pressure.
The new SSI rules are a crucial prelude to the pending presidential election, highlighting stark contrasts between the two main candidates regarding social safety net programs. Under Donald Trump’s administration, there was a tightening of regulations surrounding food and disability benefits, an approach that Biden has largely reversed. Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O’Malley articulated the administration’s goal of simplifying and expanding access to SSI, which he believes will make the program more efficient and accessible. As there has been little legislative movement regarding SSI in Congress for decades, the program’s future hinges significantly on the election outcome, particularly on key appointments made by the sitting president.
More than 7 million Americans with disabilities depend on SSI, receiving an average monthly payment of less than $700. The program has strict income and asset limits, which prevent individuals from accumulating more than $2,000 in savings or earning more than $2,000 per month without risking their benefits. Such restrictions have drawn bipartisan criticism, as they effectively trap many recipients in a cycle of near-poverty rather than enabling them to achieve financial independence. The changes instituted on September 30 aim to alleviate some of this burden, particularly regarding the reporting of in-kind support such as food assistance from friends or family.
Before the policy adjustments, beneficiaries who received help in the form of food were required to report this assistance, which could lead to a reduction in their benefit amount. The newly established rule allows recipients to avoid disclosing such support if they are already receiving SNAP benefits, thereby encouraging individuals and families to accept help without fearing negative financial consequences. This regulatory shift is anticipated to aid hundreds of thousands of households that rely on SSI, ultimately providing many with increased financial poise amidst a challenging economic landscape.
Despite the expected benefits of these administrative reforms, they have provoked significant backlash from Republican lawmakers. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee have criticized the rules as an excessive regulatory overreach that bypasses Congressional approval and carries a hefty projected cost of $37 billion. This tension is further exemplified by the expansion of SNAP benefits under Biden’s administration, which similarly drew ire from conservative politicians. Trump, if reelected, could potentially move to dismantle these changes without needing to navigate Congressional processes, reinstating the earlier restrictions that Biden sought to alleviate.
In practical terms, Torres has found the new policy beneficial, particularly as it applies to her specific financial circumstances involving child support and work-related income. After consulting with Community Legal Services, a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, she was informed that her income from working as an Instacart shopper would no longer negatively impact her SSI payments due to the new regulations regarding SNAP. As a result of the changes, starting in December, Torres’ monthly SSI benefit is set to increase to $783. The SSA has also stated that eligible SSI recipients will be automatically adjusted based on the new rules, relieving them of the burden of having to contact the agency for updates. This streamlined approach is indicative of the administration’s broader goals to enhance accessibility and support for vulnerable populations.