Bradley Schneider (D-IL)
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 seeks to amend title II of the Social Security Act. It proposes to credit individuals who serve as caregivers for dependent relatives with deemed wages. This credit applies to qualifying months where an individual provides at least 80 hours of unpaid care. The credit is intended to bolster economic prospects and provide retirement security for unpaid caregivers. These deemed wages would be applied to determine Social Security benefits or lump-sum death payments. The law limits the total number of qualifying months to 60.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill amends the Social Security Act to credit caregivers with deemed wages to bolster their retirement security.
- Scored +6
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill enhances retirement security for caregivers through deemed Social Security wages.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides a mechanism for unpaid caregivers to build future income and social security benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Retirement Security: The bill aims to bolster the economic prospects of unpaid caregivers and provide them with vital retirement security (Section 2, a, 2).
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Financial Credit for Caregivers: Individuals engaging in at least 80 hours of unpaid care in a month can be credited with deemed wages for their service (Section 3, a, 1, A).
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Benefit for Caregivers of Veterans: Assistance provided to a family caregiver of an eligible veteran under section 1720G of title 38, United States Code, is not considered monetary compensation, allowing the caregiver to still potentially qualify for deemed wages (Section 3, a, 1, C).
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Coverage for Various Family Members: The credit applies to a wide range of dependents, including children under 12, as well as chronically dependent parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, spouses, or domestic partners (Section 3, a, 2, A and B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Time Limits on Benefits: The credit is limited to a maximum of 60 qualifying months; any months beyond that will not be taken into account (Section 3, b, 1, B).
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Bureaucratic Requirements: To receive credit, individuals must submit applications containing identifying information, physician documentation for those not qualifying as a child under 12, and undergo periodic certification to verify that information has not changed (Section 3, c, 2, A and B).
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Benefit Limitations: The deemed wages will not be applied if a larger monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment would be payable without the application of these wages (Section 3, b, 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill enhances retirement security for caregivers through deemed Social Security wages. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides a mechanism for unpaid caregivers to build future income and social security benefits. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill recognizes the labor of those caring for chronically dependent individuals. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill allows caregivers of veterans to receive credit toward Social Security despite receiving other forms of assistance.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill amends the Social Security Act to credit caregivers with deemed wages to bolster their retirement security. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill provides financial recognition for those caring for chronically dependent individuals with disabilities.
- 7/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Grace MengDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine