WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation that takes a critical step towards protecting the integrity of the Social Security program. The “No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009," introduced by Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John Tanner (D-TN) and Ranking Member Sam Johnson (R-TX), would prevent retroactive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments from being issued to individuals while they are in prison, along with beneficiaries in violation of conditions of parole or probation, or who are fleeing to avoid prosecution for a felony or a crime punishable by sentence of more than one year.
“The ‘No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009’ is needed so that retroactive benefits paid in lump sums are treated the same way we treat monthly Social Security and SSI benefits," said Tanner. “As stewards of Social Security, we are obligated to ensure that benefits are not being paid to individuals in prison, those who are violating a condition of parole or probation, or those who are fleeing criminal prosecution or imprisonment. I am confident that we will enact this legislation quickly in order to preserve and protect the integrity of the Social Security programs."
The Social Security Act already bars payment of current monthly benefits to such individuals and this bill ensures this prohibition applies to retroactive benefit payments as well.
The bipartisan legislation was passed by voice vote.
