H.R. 537House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:49 PM UTC

The Supplemental Security Income Equality Act would expand the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. It updates statutory definitions so these territories are treated like states, removes payment caps for them, and allows the Social Security Commissioner to waive program requirements as needed. The changes would take effect at the start of the first federal fiscal year occurring at least one year after the law is enacted.

Key Provisions

Amends the SSI eligibility rules to include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
Redefines “state” in the Social Security Act to encompass those territories.
Eliminates the overall payment limitation that previously applied to the territories.
Treats U.S. nationals the same as citizens for SSI eligibility purposes.
Adds the territories to the geographic definition of the United States for SSI provisions.
Grants the Commissioner of Social Security authority to waive or modify SSI requirements in the territories to meet local needs.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Social Security Subcommittee

January 28, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 28, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

January 28, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Social Security Subcommittee

January 28, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 28, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 537

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 28, 2021

Miss González-Colón (for herself, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Plaskett, and Mrs. Radewagen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To extend the supplemental security income program to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supplemental Security Income Equality Act.

Extension of the supplemental security income program to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa

(a)

In general

Section 303 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 (86 Stat. 1484) is amended by striking subsection (b).

(b)

Conforming amendments

(1)

Definition of state

Section 1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)) is amended by striking the 5th sentence and inserting the following: Such term when used in title XVI includes Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa..

(2)

Elimination of limit on total payments to the territories

Section 1108 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended—

(A)

in the section heading, by striking ; limitation on total payments;

(B)

by striking subsection (a); and

(C)

in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (2) and (4) and redesignating paragraphs (3) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (4), respectively.

(3)

United States nationals treated the same as citizens

Section 1614(a)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(1)(B)) is amended—

(A)

in clause (i)(I), by inserting or national, after citizen;

(B)

in clause (i)(II), by adding ; or at the end; and

(C)

in clause (ii), by inserting or national after citizen.

(4)

Territories included in geographic meaning of United States

Section 1614(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(e)) is amended by striking and the District of Columbia and inserting , the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

(c)

Waiver authority

The Commissioner of Social Security may waive or modify any statutory requirement relating to the provision of benefits under the Supplemental Security Income Program under title XVI of the Social Security Act in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa, to the extent that the Commissioner deems it necessary in order to adapt the program to the needs of the territory involved.

(d)

Effective date

This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st Federal fiscal year that begins 1 year or more after the date of the enactment of this Act.