Bill > HR7213

This bill, titled the Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026, proposes to restrict certain Federal assistance benefits, meaning aid provided to individuals or households under federal programs based on income or resources, to only those individuals who can prove they are citizens of the United States. To receive these benefits, individuals must first declare in writing, under penalty of perjury, that they are a U.S. citizen or national. They must then meet a citizenship verification requirement, which involves providing documentary evidence of citizenship, a photographic identity document, and their Social Security number, which will be cross-checked with records from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill also mandates verification through the DHS's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to ensure individuals are not listed as noncitizens. If an individual cannot meet these requirements, they will be notified of their ineligibility and have the right to appeal. For benefits tied to children or households, the citizenship requirement can be met by a parent, legal guardian, or any member of the household, with specific exceptions for elderly or disabled housing programs. Once citizenship is verified, it is considered continuous as long as the individual remains otherwise eligible for the benefit. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget will issue regulations for the declaration forms and verification processes, which will supersede existing citizenship-related eligibility rules unless they are more restrictive. The bill also includes provisions for disqualifying entities that repeatedly fail to comply with these new requirements and outlines an effective date one year after enactment, with a transition period of two years.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7213/all-info