Reps. Katko and Keating Introduce Legislation to Remove Barriers to Marriage for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Statement

U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (MA-9) this week introduced the bipartisan Marriage Access for People with Special Abilities Act, legislation that protects the federal benefits of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who wish to legally marry.

People with ID/DD rely upon critical Social Security Insurance (SSI) to meet their everyday needs. However, when two individuals who rely on these benefits marry, these SSI benefits are placed in jeopardy when those with ID/DD marry because couples must jointly report incomes. This bill clarifies that SSI benefits for an individual with ID/DD will not be affected by marital status. When determining these benefits for an individual with ID/DD, only their income and resources will be reviewed. Their spouse's income and assets will not be included. Further, it clarifies that individuals with ID/DD will have access to Medicaid benefits if they qualify for SSI benefits, regardless of income or assets.

"People with intellectual or developmental disabilities should not have to choose between marriage and their disability benefits," said Rep. John Katko. "This bipartisan legislation protects the rights of individuals with disabilities and enables couples to pursue happiness without obstruction."

"It's my privilege to lead this effort with Congressman Katko," said Congressman Bill Keating. "Ensuring people with intellectual or developmental disabilities have every chance to choose their path in life, especially when it comes to forming their own families, is a fundamental right. The IDD community leverages their supplemental incomes to independently further their quality of life, and this legislation ensures they have full access to their benefits if their paths include marriage."

"Marriage is a basic civil right," National Down Syndrome Society Senior Vice President Kandi Pickard said. "Individuals with disabilities deserve the freedom to secure the legal protections of marriage to build loving families and pursue the opportunities that come with the institution of marriage. We applaud Reps. Katko and Keating for championing this effort to secure equal rights for individuals with disabilities and urge all Members of Congress to support their legislation."

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