Senators Jerry Moran and Chris Van Hollen have introduced a bill aimed at reforming the calculation of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for individuals with disabilities. The Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act would exclude a spouse’s income and resources from SSI eligibility determinations and remove marital status from calculations of SSI benefits for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Senator Moran emphasized that the bill would ensure disability benefits are not reduced simply because an individual with disabilities chooses to marry. The legislation has received support from organizations such as the National Down Syndrome Society, National Down Syndrome Congress, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.