1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

Strongly Oppose Proposed Changes to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Arrangement Rules I am writing to you today as your constituent to urge you to take immediate and strong action against a proposed Social Security Administration rule (RIN 0960-AI94, “Rescission of Changes to the Definition of a Public Assistance Household”), currently under review at the White House Office of Management and Budget, that would narrow the definition of a “public assistance household.” This rollback could slash or eliminate critical Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for hundreds of thousands of elderly adults and people with disabilities who live with family members.   The policy under consideration would rescind sensible updates—such as those factoring in programs like SNAP—and return to punitive In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) rules. These changes penalize vulnerable individuals simply because they share a roof with relatives, making the absurd assumption that living with family removes their need for basic survival assistance. In reality, multigenerational care keeps high-risk seniors and disabled individuals out of costly institutional settings.   Cutting these lifeline funds will force struggling families into impossible choices between homelessness, institutionalization, or abandoning their loved ones just to protect a small monthly stipend. Furthermore, the invasive reporting requirements attached to these changes—including extensive documentation of household income, assets, and living arrangements—will bury disabled recipients and aging caregivers under mountains of administrative red tape.   I respectfully ask you to publicly oppose these cuts, urge the Social Security Administration to withdraw this rule, and support legislative efforts that strengthen—rather than dismantle—the safety net for our nation’s most fragile citizens.   Thank you for your time, your public service, and your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to hearing your position on this critical issue.