H.R. 7573 — Modernize SSI Stipends Act

This section doubles the minimum monthly personal needs allowances (PNAs) for institutionalized Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients under the Social Security Act—i.e., to $720 (from $360) in clauses (i) and (ii)(I) of section 1611(e)(1)(B) and to $1,440 (from $720) in clause (iii)—for benefits payable in months after December 31, 2025. (As background, SSI provides cash benefits to low-income aged, blind, or disabled individuals; for institutionalized recipients, nearly all SSI benefits are paid to the institution, with the PNA retained by the recipient for personal expenses such as clothing.) The section further (1) applies cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) under section 1617 to these PNAs for months after December 31, 2025; and (2) requires states to pass through the increased PNAs and subsequent COLAs in SSI supplementary payments, effective January 1, 2026. (Thus, state supplements for institutionalized SSI recipients will reflect the doubled federal minimum PNAs and future COLAs.)