Bill Sponsor
House Bill 6951
116th Congress(2019-2020)
COVID–19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act of 2020
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on May 19, 2020
Overview
Text
Introduced
May 19, 2020
Latest Action
Aug 13, 2020
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
6951
Congress
116
Policy Area
Social Welfare
Social Welfare
Primary focus of measure is public assistance and Social Security programs; social services matters, including community service, volunteer, and charitable activities. Measures concerning such health programs as Medicare and Medicaid may fall under Health policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
California
Democrat
Florida
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
New York
Democrat
Pennsylvania
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act of 2020

This bill modifies Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs for older adults and individuals with disabilities, including by revising eligibility criteria and administrative procedures.

Among other changes, the bill permanently increases relevant income thresholds and asset limits that apply to SSDI, as well as temporarily suspends certain waiting periods that apply to SSDI, SSI, and Medicare coverage to address the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. The bill also establishes a special Medicare enrollment period and temporarily suspends asset tests used to determine eligibility for certain low-income subsidy programs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. In addition, the bill delays the application of a reduced federal matching rate under Medicaid for certain personal care services that require an in-home visit.

Additionally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) shall not conduct most disability reviews, collect overpayments, suspend benefits, or undertake specified administrative actions during the COVID-19 emergency. The SSA and the Department of Education must also develop a process to automatically discharge the student loan debt of certain SSDI beneficiaries who have medically determined physical or mental impairments that are unlikely to improve.

In addition, state agencies may modify practices to achieve contactless delivery of food packages to supplement the diets of older, low-income individuals under the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

Text (1)
Actions (3)
08/13/2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
05/19/2020
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
05/19/2020
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:42:52 PM