Bill > AB246

This bill introduces the Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025, which provides relief for tenants experiencing interruptions in their Social Security benefits. The legislation allows tenants to use "Social Security hardship" as a legal defense in eviction proceedings stemming from rent nonpayment. Social Security hardship is defined as a loss of income due to federal government actions that interrupt benefit payments. If a tenant can prove their Social Security benefits were terminated, delayed, or reduced through no fault of their own and that this interruption prevented rent payment, the court must stay (pause) the eviction proceedings. The stay will last either 14 days after benefits are restored or up to six months. Tenants are still required to pay past due rent, and within 14 days of benefit restoration, they must either pay the full amount owed or negotiate a payment plan with their landlord. If the tenant complies, the court must dismiss the eviction action or set aside any existing judgment. The bill is temporary, applying only until January 20, 2029, and requires the Judicial Council to develop necessary implementation forms by January 1, 2027. Importantly, this defense applies only to rent nonpayment cases and does not prevent the Governor from taking additional emergency actions related to evictions.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB246