Social Security Miscellaneous Amendments Act of 1996
Received in the Senate.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 17, 1996
Social Security Miscellaneous Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 with respect to disability benefits under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA). Revises effective dates for the application of certain provisions to individuals. Provides that, with respect to the effective date of denial of disability benefits to drug addicts and alcoholics, a claim may not be considered finally adjudicated (and thus subject to such denial) if there is a pending request for administrative or judicial review or a pending readjudication pursuant to a class action or court remand. Provides that the requirement to appoint a representative payee, and refer beneficiaries for treatment, applies to beneficiaries who are allowed benefits (due to another impairment) based on a new application filed before enactment, and who continue to get benefits based on a successful redetermination filed before July 1, 1996. Repeals specified reporting requirements related to the monitoring and testing of beneficiaries on the basis of drug addiction or alcoholism who are required to undergo treatment as a condition for receipt of benefits. Declares that challenges to State disability determinations under OASDI may be made only against the Commissioner of Social Security (in all cases in which there is not a final judgment). Amends specified Acts, including the Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980 and the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994, to extend social security disability insurance (SSDI) program demonstration project authority. Authorizes the Commissioner to conduct demonstration projects involving SSDI applicants as well as recipients. Amends OASDI anti-assignment prohibitions to allow the withholding of taxes from any benefit under OASDI pursuant to a proper request made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code by the person entitled to such benefit. Applies to the payment of OASDI benefits to prisoners the same requirements as enacted by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 with respect to SSI payments for agreements between the Commissioner and State or local correctional institutions for monthly identifying information, and the exchange of such information among Federal or federally-assisted cash, food, or medical assistance programs. Extends to all prisoners, regardless of offense or length of sentence, the current prohibition against the payment of social security benefits, by repealing its limitation to offenses punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to require inclusion of prisoners receiving OASDI benefits in certain required studies and reports to the Congress.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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