EMPSA Act

# EMPSA Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The EMPSA Act would change how the Social Security Administration calculates benefits for married adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Currently, when determining if someone qualifies for SSI and how much they receive, the government counts their spouse's income and resources. This bill would exclude the spouse's financial situation entirely from these calculations, meaning a person's eligibility and benefit amount would be based only on their own income and resources, not their spouse's. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill specifically targets married adults with diagnosed intellectual or developmental disabilities receiving SSI benefits.

The main change is eliminating what's called the "marriage penalty"—the situation where getting married can reduce or eliminate SSI benefits because a spouse's income is counted against them. Currently, SSI has strict income and resource limits, so marriage can cause someone to lose benefits they previously received. This bill aims to allow disabled individuals to marry without financial penalty. **Current Status** The bill (HR 1757) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative David Valadao (R-CA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House.