A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 SWIFT Act of 2026 aims to increase survivors' benefits within the Social Security Act. It seeks to raise benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses regardless of their age. The bill also adjusts the age limit for child-in-care benefits and introduces increases for delayed benefit receipt. Additionally, it modifies how these benefits are capped relative to the deceased individual's insurance. These changes are intended to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill increases survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses, while also increasing the age limit for child-in-care benefits.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill eliminates benefit reductions for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses regardless of age.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill increases the age limit for child-in-care benefits from 16 to 18 or 19 for students.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Benefits for Disabled Survivors: The bill eliminates certain age restrictions and reduces benefit amounts for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. (Section 2)
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Higher Limits for Children: The age limit for child-in-care benefits is increased from 16 to 18, or up to age 19 for full-time elementary or secondary school students. (Section 3)
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Delayed Receipt Incentives: The bill introduces an increase in benefit amounts for individuals who delay claiming their widow's or widower's insurance benefits. (Section 4)
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Protection of Current Benefits: For those already receiving assistance, any additional income resulting from these benefit increases will be disregarded when determining continued eligibility for Federal, State, or local programs. (Section 5)
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Improved Information Access: The Commissioner of Social Security will publish and mail a booklet to survivors to provide clear information on how to claim benefits and how timing impacts benefit amounts. (Section 6)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Assistance Protections: The protection against income-related eligibility changes ceases once an individual no longer qualifies for the Federal, State, or local program they were receiving. (Section 5)
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 with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill eliminates benefit reductions for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses regardless of age. Would children be better off under this? — The bill increases the age limit for child-in-care benefits from 16 to 18 or 19 for students. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill increases social security survivor benefits and protects current eligibility for other programs. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides increased benefits and delayed receipt incentives for surviving spouses.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill increases survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses, while also increasing the age limit for child-in-care benefits. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill raises benefit amounts and extends eligibility age for children, which helps reduce financial instability for families.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill increases the distribution of social safety net benefits to survivors.
- 7/16/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan