Establishment of a universal adult assistance program

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Commissioner The term Commissioner means the Commissioner of Social Security. (2) Deputy commissioner The term Deputy Commissioner means the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Universal Adult Assistance. (3) Qualifying adult The term qualifying adult means, with respect to a month, an individual who— (A) resides in the United States; (B) is— (i) a citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) a qualified alien (as defined in section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1641)); and (C) is at least 19 years old on the last day of such month and less than 68 years old on the last day of such month. (b) Establishment of the office of universal adult assistance (1) In general There is established within the Social Security Administration an office to be known as the Office of Universal Adult Assistance. The Office shall be headed by a Deputy Commissioner who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Social Security. (2) Responsibilities of deputy commissioner The Commissioner, acting through the Deputy Commissioner, shall— (A) hire such personnel as are necessary for the Office of Universal Adult Assistance and make employment decisions with regard to such personnel; (B) have authority to enter into such contracts or cooperative agreements with other agencies and departments as are necessary to ensure the efficiency of the program; (C) make adult assistance payments to qualified adults in accordance with this section; (D) determine eligibility for adult assistance payments under subsection (c); (E) establish and maintain a system of records relating to the administration of this section; (F) prevent fraud and abuse relating to adult assistance payments; (G) provide information to the public in relation to adult assistance payments, including eligibility requirements, the application process, payment amounts, and limitations on payments; (H) tailor culturally and linguistically competent education and outreach toward increasing utilization rates of adult assistance payments; (I) issue an annual report to Congress detailing the effect of adult assistance payments, including— (i) the number of individuals receiving payments; (ii) the total amount of funds disbursed; (iii) demographic data of individuals receiving payments; and (iv) such other information as the Deputy Commissioner determines is necessary; and (J) issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. (3) Availability of data The Commissioner shall make available to the Deputy Commissioner such data as the Commissioner determines necessary to enable the Deputy Commissioner to effectively carry out the responsibilities described in paragraph (2). (c) Adult assistance payments (1) In general For every month after December 31, 2025, the Commissioner shall pay to each qualified adult who has in effect an application approved under subsection (e) an adult assistance payment of $250. (2) Penalties Section 208 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 408) shall apply with respect to adult assistance payments under this section in the same manner as such section 208 applies with respect to monthly insurance benefits under title II of such Act. (d) Inflation adjustment (1) In general In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2026, the $250 amount in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the calendar year, determined by substituting 2026 for 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. (2) Rounding If any increase determined under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $1, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $1. (e) Application (1) In general No adult assistance payment shall be made to an individual unless the Commissioner has approved an application for such payment in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph. (2) Application requirements An individual applying for an adult assistance payment as a qualifying adult under this section shall provide the Commissioner with an application in such form and manner as the Commissioner shall require, and such application shall include— (A) the name, date of birth, and social security number or taxpayer identification number of the qualifying adult; and (B) such other information as the Commissioner deems necessary. (f) Income disregard An adult assistance payment made under this section shall not be taken into account— (1) as income for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or (2) as income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of any individual for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance, under any Federal program or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.