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

USA116th CongressS-3740| Senate 
| Updated: 5/14/2020
Robert P. Casey

Robert P. Casey

Democratic Senator

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (9)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Doug Jones (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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 and by providing supplemental appropriations for certain legal and translation services. 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. The bill also provides funds for the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to each carry out national campaigns to educate the public about COVID-19 scams.
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Timeline
May 14, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 14, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Aug 13, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6951
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
  • May 14, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 14, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • August 13, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6951
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6951: COVID–19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act of 2020
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAgingAmerican SamoaAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthCaribbean areaCommunity life and organizationComputer security and identity theftConsumer affairsDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDisability and paralysisDisability assistanceEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee benefits and pensionsExecutive agency funding and structureFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Food assistance and reliefForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGuamHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHigher educationInfectious and parasitic diseasesInflation and pricesIntergovernmental relationsLawyers and legal servicesMarriage and family statusMedicaidMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMedicareNorthern Mariana IslandsPoverty and welfare assistancePuerto RicoRailroadsSocial Security AdministrationSocial security and elderly assistanceState and local financeStudent aid and college costsTransportation employeesU.S. territories and protectoratesVirgin IslandsWages and earnings

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

USA116th CongressS-3740| Senate 
| Updated: 5/14/2020
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 and by providing supplemental appropriations for certain legal and translation services. 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. The bill also provides funds for the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to each carry out national campaigns to educate the public about COVID-19 scams.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 14, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 14, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Aug 13, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6951
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
  • May 14, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 14, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • August 13, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6951
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Robert P. Casey

Robert P. Casey

Democratic Senator

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (9)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Doug Jones (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6951: COVID–19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAgingAmerican SamoaAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthCaribbean areaCommunity life and organizationComputer security and identity theftConsumer affairsDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDisability and paralysisDisability assistanceEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee benefits and pensionsExecutive agency funding and structureFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Food assistance and reliefForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGuamHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHigher educationInfectious and parasitic diseasesInflation and pricesIntergovernmental relationsLawyers and legal servicesMarriage and family statusMedicaidMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMedicareNorthern Mariana IslandsPoverty and welfare assistancePuerto RicoRailroadsSocial Security AdministrationSocial security and elderly assistanceState and local financeStudent aid and college costsTransportation employeesU.S. territories and protectoratesVirgin IslandsWages and earnings