Proposed rule change could cut federal benefits for disabled adults

The Trump administration is considering a rule that, if approved, would cut monthly federal benefits meant to support disabled adults and indigent older people who live with family members.

ProPublica first reported on the proposed change on April 28 based on information from four federal officials, internal emails, and a federal regulatory listing. The organization analyzed actuarial figures from the Social Security Administration and found that as many as 400,000 poor and disabled people and indigent older people could have their support cut or eliminated.

The Supplemental Security Income program, run by the Social Security Administration, provides an average monthly payment of $737 to about 7.4 million people with severe disabilities and to indigent older people as of early 2026, according to the Congressional Research Service.

One factor Social Security considers when determining SSI eligibility is whether a person lives in a "public assistance household." For decades, Social Security narrowly defined a public assistance household as one where every person in the home had to receive some form of public assistance.

If even one person in the home did not receive such benefits, it would hurt the disabled person’s chances of qualifying for SSI. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was not among the qualifying programs.

In 2024, President Joe Biden’s administration added SNAP to the list of qualifying programs. It also lowered the bar so that if even one other household member received a qualifying benefit, the household could qualify as a public assistance household.

The proposed rule change would remove SNAP from the list and again require all household members to receive public assistance.

Anyone living at home beyond age 18 without paying full rent, such as a disabled person or indigent older person, would be treated as if they are receiving a free benefit. The value of their bedroom and family income and assets would be deducted from their benefits.

The proposed change is in the early stages of review. First, the White House Office of Management and Budget reviews the proposal, makes revisions, and determines where it ranks among the president's priorities. The Social Security Administration then publicizes it and accepts public comments.

Depending on the amount of opposition, the process could take a year or more.

The Office of Management and Budget and Social Security Administration did not respond to USA TODAY's requests for comment.