Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03) today introduced new legislation to change an outdated Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rule that can reduce benefits for seniors and people with disabilities simply because they receive basic help like food or housing from family, friends, or caregivers.

“Social Security provides a critical social safety net for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children,” said Rep. Scanlon. “SSI’s rules disfavoring in-kind support and maintenance punish people receiving basic assistance from friends and family. At a time when the cost of living has skyrocketed, it is critical that we update rules which penalize people who are getting by with help from their communities. I’m grateful for Rep. Davids’ partnership in making SSI more accessible for those who need it.”

“In Kansas, we take care of our neighbors — whether that’s a parent helping their child get through a tough month or a family making sure a loved one has a place to stay,” said Rep. Davids. “But right now, federal rules can actually punish seniors and people with disabilities for receiving that kind of support. That’s wrong. My new bill, which I’m leading with my colleague Rep. Scanlon, fixes it so people don’t lose out on their Social Security just because of the way Kansans naturally look out for each other.”

SSI is a federal program that provides monthly financial support to seniors and people with disabilities with very low incomes. Under the current rule, their benefits can be reduced if they receive basic help, such as food or housing, from family or others. The rule also makes the program more complicated to administer and harder for beneficiaries to understand.

The bill would eliminate these reductions so that seniors and people with disabilities do not lose SSI benefits simply because they receive support to meet basic needs. The legislation aims to simplify the program, reduce administrative complexity, and ensure more consistent and fair access to the full benefits people rely upon.

"The SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 takes a long-overdue step to fix one of SSI’s most outdated and harmful policies,” said Heather Sachs, Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, National Down Syndrome Congress. “The current ISM rules punish people with disabilities for receiving basic help like food or housing — support that keeps people stable and connected to their communities. Eliminating ISM is a commonsense reform that promotes fairness, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures SSI works the way it should.”

“ANCOR applauds Representatives Davids and Scanlon for their common-sense approach to tearing down barriers that for far too long have kept people with disabilities and older adults from accessing the support they need to remain in their homes and communities,” said Barbara Merrill, Chief Executive Officer, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). “By removing SSI’s in-kind support and maintenance rules, the SSI Savings & Efficiency Act would take us closer to an SSI program that is fairer, simpler, and more responsive to the daily realities facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ANCOR is proud to support this legislation and grateful for the leadership of Representatives Davids and Scanlon.” 

Social Security plays a crucial role in the lives of millions, from birth to retirement. In Pennsylvania’s Fifth District, there are 142,514 Social Security recipients, including 106,713 retirees, 8,566 children, and 16,270 disabled workers. Yet, both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have made damaging comments about Social Security. Musk called the program a "Ponzi scheme," and Trump referred to it as a "scam."

The bill is endorsed by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Autism Speaks, the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, Access Ready Inc., and Justice in Aging.

Find the full bill text here.

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