PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 22, 1996
Prevention of Prisoner Double-Dipping Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the limitation on the payment of OASDI benefits to prisoners and certain other inmates of publicly funded institutions. Extends such limitation to any individual confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility pursuant to a felony charge, but only with respect to months after the first 30 days of such confinement. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to study and report to the Congress on methods to insure the timely and accurate reporting of information respecting such public inmates with respect to current law limitations on OASDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits under SSA title XVI to them. Authorizes the Commissioner to: (1) contract with interested State or local institutions used to confine such individuals for monthly reports to the Commissioner of certain identifying information in order to enforce such benefit limitations; and (2) pay such an institution benefit amounts with respect to each eligible individual. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for civil monetary penalties, including quintuple damages for any OASDI and SSI benefits received, for fraudulent use of social security account numbers and cards. Authorizes additional appropriations for the Commissioner through the Office of Inspector General to use only for increasing the number of investigators and auditors charged with pursuing charges of fraud against the OASDI and SSI programs. Requires the Commissioner to study and report to the Congress on methods to streamline the review and appeals process under the OASDI and SSI programs.
People & committees
Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R–NC
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5492-5493)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1789 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1789 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1789 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1789 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.