H.R. 1757 — EMPSA Act

This section establishes Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility under section 1611(a)(4) of the Social Security Act for individuals aged 18 or older diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability whose countable monthly income does not exceed $1,752 (or the adjusted amount under section 1611(a)(1)(A)) and whose countable resources do not exceed the applicable amount under section 1611(a)(3)(B) (i.e., $2,000 after January 1, 1989). It sets the SSI benefit rate for such individuals at $1,752 monthly (or the adjusted amount under section 1611(b)(1)), reduced by the individual's countable income, regardless of spousal status. It further directs that, for married individuals in this category, no income or resources of the spouse are deemed to the individual for eligibility or benefit purposes (under new section 1614(f)(5)). (SSI provides cash assistance to low-income aged, blind, or disabled individuals; normally, a married couple's income and resources are combined, with higher limits of $2,628 income and $3,000 resources.)