I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6951 
To assist older Americans and people with disabilities affected by COVID– 
19. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 19, 2020 
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (for herself, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. LAMB, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, 
Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. PRESSLEY, and Mr. DEUTCH) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 
and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education 
and Labor, and Agriculture, 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 
A BILL 
To assist older Americans and people with disabilities 
affected by COVID–19. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘COVID–19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Dis-
abilities Act of 2020’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—SOCIAL SECURITY 
Sec. 101. Definitions. 
Sec. 102. Pausing continuing disability reviews during the COVID–19 public 
health emergency. 
Sec. 103. Pausing all collection of overpayments during the COVID–19 public 
health emergency. 
Sec. 104. Pausing all suspension of benefits for failure to cooperate during the 
COVID–19 public health emergency. 
Sec. 105. Update in eligibility thresholds for supplemental security income; 
elimination of marriage penalty. 
Sec. 106. Elimination of Social Security disability and Medicare waiting peri-
ods. 
Sec. 107. Support and maintenance furnished in kind not included as income 
for purposes of SSI. 
Sec. 108. Suspension of certain regulations. 
Sec. 109. Discharge of student loans. 
Sec. 110. Elimination of separate account requirement for past-due supple-
mental security income benefits paid to child beneficiaries. 
Sec. 111. Increasing the substantial gainful activity limit. 
Sec. 112. State grants to protect the legal rights of SSI and SSDI applicants 
and beneficiaries. 
Sec. 113. Social security assistance and representation grants. 
TITLE II—MEDICARE 
Sec. 201. Fairness in Medicare enrollment and coverage periods. 
Sec. 202. Permitting an attestation of employment-based health insurance cov-
erage during the COVID–19 public health emergency. 
Sec. 203. Suspension of the Medicare part D low-income subsidy asset test. 
TITLE III—MEDICAID 
Sec. 301. Suspension of asset test for medical assistance for Medicare cost 
sharing during COVID–19 emergency period. 
Sec. 302. Temporary increase of Medicaid FMAP for Medicare cost-sharing. 
Sec. 303. Delay in reduction of FMAP for Medicaid personal care services fur-
nished without an electronic visit verification system. 
TITLE IV—AGRICULTURE 
Sec. 401. Commodity supplemental food program. 
TITLE I—SOCIAL SECURITY 
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) 
COMMISSIONER.—The 
term 
‘‘Commis-
sioner’’ means the Commissioner of Social Security. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) COVID–19 
EMERGENCY
PERIOD.—The 
term ‘‘COVID–19 emergency period’’ means the pe-
riod of months— 
(A) beginning with the first month that be-
gins on or after the date of enactment of this 
Act; and 
(B) ending with the sixth month that be-
gins on or after the last day of the public health 
emergency described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)). 
SEC. 102. PAUSING CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS DUR-
ING THE COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMER-
GENCY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law and except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Commissioner shall not conduct any continuing disability 
review (as such term is defined in section 201(g)(1)(A) 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401(g)(1)(A))) dur-
ing the COVID–19 emergency period. 
(b) EXCEPTION FOR CDR APPEALS.—Subsection (a) 
shall not apply to a continuing disability review that— 
(1) is in progress on the date of enactment of 
this Act; and 
(2) is being conducted pursuant to an appeal by 
an individual of a adverse decision of the Commis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
sioner with respect to the individual’s eligibility for 
benefits under title II or XVI of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 et seq.), or the 
amount of such benefits for which the individual is 
eligible. 
SEC. 103. PAUSING ALL COLLECTION OF OVERPAYMENTS 
DURING 
THE 
COVID–19 
PUBLIC 
HEALTH 
EMERGENCY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law and except as provided in subsection (b), dur-
ing the COVID–19 emergency period, the Commissioner 
shall not make any downward adjustment to a benefit 
amount payable to an individual under title II or XVI of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 et 
seq.), or take any other action, for the purpose of col-
lecting an overpayment made to such individual. 
(b) EXCEPTION FOR FRAUD.—Subsection (a) shall 
not apply to any downward adjustment or any other action 
with respect to a benefit amount payable to an individual 
under title II or XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
401 et seq., 1381 et seq.) if such adjustment is made, or 
such action taken, on the basis that the individual is in-
volved in fraud or similar fault. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 104. PAUSING ALL SUSPENSION OF BENEFITS FOR 
FAILURE 
TO 
COOPERATE 
DURING 
THE 
COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during 
the COVID–19 emergency period, the Commissioner shall 
not suspend, modify, or terminate an individual’s entitle-
ment to, or eligibility for, benefits under title II or XVI 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 
et seq.) on the basis that the individual has failed to co-
operate with a request of the Commissioner. 
SEC. 105. UPDATE IN ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLDS FOR SUP-
PLEMENTAL 
SECURITY 
INCOME; 
ELIMI-
NATION OF MARRIAGE PENALTY. 
(a) UPDATE IN GENERAL INCOME EXCLUSION.— 
Section 1612(b)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1382a(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘$240’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$1,476 (increased as described in section 
1617(d) for each calendar year after 2020)’’. 
(b) UPDATE IN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION.—Sec-
tion 1612(b)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382a(b)(4)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘$780’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘$4,788 (increased as described in section 
1617(d) for each calendar year after 2020)’’. 
(c) UPDATE IN RESOURCE LIMIT FOR INDIVIDUALS 
AND COUPLES.—Section 1611(a)(3) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 1382(a)(3)) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$2,250’’ 
and all that follows through the end of the subpara-
graph and inserting ‘‘$20,000 in calendar year 
2020, and shall be increased as described in section 
1617(d) for each subsequent calendar year.’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$1,500’’ 
and all that follows through the end of the subpara-
graph and inserting ‘‘$10,000 in calendar year 
2020, and shall be increased as described in section 
1617(d) for each subsequent calendar year.’’. 
(d) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.—Section 1617 of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1382f) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘; IN-
FLATION ADJUSTMENT’’ after ‘‘BENEFITS’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d)(1) In the case of any calendar year after 2020, 
each of the amounts specified in sections 1611(a)(3), 
1612(b)(2)(A), and 1612(b)(4) shall be increased by mul-
tiplying each such amount by the quotient obtained by di-
viding— 
‘‘(A) the average of the Consumer Price 
Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI–E, as pub-
lished by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 
Department of Labor) for the 12-month period 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
ending with September of the preceding cal-
endar year, by 
‘‘(B) such average for the 12-month period 
ending with September 2019. 
‘‘(2) In no case shall the application of para-
graph (1) result in a reduction to the amounts speci-
fied in such paragraph.’’. 
(e) REPEAL OF MARRIAGE PENALTY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1611(b)(2) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382f(b)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘payable at the rate of’’ and all 
that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
inserting ‘‘payable— 
‘‘(A) for calendar years 1974 through 2019, at 
the rate of $2,628 (or, if greater, the amount deter-
mined under section 1617); and 
‘‘(B) for calendar year 2020 and any calendar 
year thereafter, at twice the rate applicable for such 
calendar year under paragraph (1) for an individual 
who does not have an eligible spouse, 
reduced by the amount of income, not excluded pursuant 
to section 1612(b), of such individual and spouse.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
1617(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘subsections 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(A), (b)(1), and (b)(2)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(A), and (b)(1)’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of 
this Act, and shall apply to eligibility determinations 
made, and benefit amounts payable, under title XVI of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) on or 
after such date. 
SEC. 106. ELIMINATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY 
AND MEDICARE WAITING PERIODS. 
(a) TEMPORARY ELIMINATION OF WAITING PERIODS 
FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS AND RAIL-
ROAD RETIREMENT ACT DISABILITY BENEFITS.—During 
the period that begins on the date of enactment of this 
Act and ends on the last day of the sixth month that be-
gins on or after the last day of the public health emer-
gency described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B))— 
(1) section 202(e)(5) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 402(e)(5)) shall be applied by striking 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘The waiting period referred to in paragraph 
(1)(F), in the case of any widow or surviving di-
vorced wife, is zero months.’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) section 202(f)(5) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 402(f)(5)) shall be applied by striking 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘The waiting period referred to in paragraph 
(1)(F), in the case of any widower or surviving di-
vorced husband, is zero months.’’; 
(3) section 223(c)(2) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 423(c)(2)) shall be applied by sub-
stituting ‘‘zero months.’’ for ‘‘the earliest period of 
five consecutive calendar months’’ and all that fol-
lows through the period; and 
(4) section 5(a)(ii) of the Railroad Retirement 
Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 231c(a)(ii)) shall be applied 
by striking ‘‘the of (A)’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘(B)’’. 
(b) TEMPORARY ELIMINATION OF MEDICARE WAIT-
ING PERIOD.—For purposes of applying section 226 of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426) to any individual dur-
ing the period described in subsection (a), the following 
special rules apply: 
(1) Subsection (b) of such section shall be ap-
plied as if there were no requirement for any entitle-
ment to benefits, or status, for a period longer than 
1 month. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) The entitlement under such subsection shall 
begin with the first month (rather than twenty-fifth 
month) of entitlement or status. 
(3) Subsection (f) of such section shall not be 
applied. 
(c) RULES OF APPLICATION.— 
(1) SCOPE OF APPLICATION.—The provisions of 
the Social Security Act and the Railroad Retirement 
Act of 1974 specified in subsections (a) and (b) shall 
be applied in the manner described in such sub-
sections with respect to any individual— 
(A) for whom a waiting period under such 
provision began before the date of enactment of 
this Act; and 
(B) for whom a waiting period under such 
a provision begins on or after such date of en-
actment. 
(2) EFFECT OF APPLICATION.—An individual 
with respect to whom a waiting period under a pro-
vision specified in subsection (a) or (b) does not 
apply as a result of the application of such sub-
section shall, for purposes of applying such provision 
to such individual after the end of the period de-
scribed in subsection (a), be deemed to have met the 
waiting period requirement under such provision. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 107. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FURNISHED IN 
KIND NOT INCLUDED AS INCOME FOR PUR-
POSES OF SSI. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1612(a)(2) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1382a(a)(2)) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(other than support or main-
tenance furnished in kind)’’ after ‘‘all other income’’; 
and 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or kind’’; 
(B) by striking clause (i) and redesig-
nating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and 
(ii), respectively; and 
(C) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘and the provisions of clause (i) shall 
not be applicable’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1611(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (6) and 
redesignating paragraphs (7) through (10) as para-
graphs (6) through (9), respectively. 
(2) Section 1612(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382a(a)(2)) is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (F), by inserting 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(B) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a period; 
(C) by moving subparagraph (G) 2 ems to 
the right; and 
(D) by striking subparagraph (H). 
(3) Section 1621(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382j(c)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) In determining the amount of income of an alien 
during the period of 5 years after such alien’s entry into 
the United States, support or maintenance furnished in 
cash to the alien by such alien’s sponsor (to the extent 
that it reflects income or resources which were taken into 
account in determining the amount of income and re-
sources to be deemed to the alien under subsection (a) 
or (b) of this section) shall not be considered to be income 
of such alien under section 1612(a)(2)(A).’’. 
SEC. 108. SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN REGULATIONS. 
During the COVID–19 emergency period, the Com-
missioner shall not promulgate or revise (and shall sus-
pend any activities related to the promulgation or revision 
of) any regulation relating to— 
(1) the frequency of continuing disability re-
views under title II or XVI of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 et seq.); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) the authority of administrative appeals 
judges of the Social Security Administration; or 
(3) the medical-vocational guidelines for deter-
mining whether an individual is disabled for pur-
poses of title II or XVI of the Social Security Act. 
SEC. 109. DISCHARGE OF STUDENT LOANS. 
(a) FFEL LOANS AND FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS.— 
Section 437(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1087(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (4); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) MINE DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A student borrower 
whom the Commissioner of Social Security has 
classified as ‘medical improvement not expected’ 
for purposes of entitlement to benefits under 
title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
401 et seq.) on the basis of a disability— 
‘‘(i) shall be considered permanently 
and totally disabled for the purpose of dis-
charging such borrower’s loans under this 
subsection; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) shall not be required to present 
additional documentation for purposes of 
this subsection. 
‘‘(B) PROCEDURES.—The Secretary and 
the Commissioner of Social Security shall joint-
ly develop procedures through which the Com-
missioner shall, on not less than a quarterly 
basis, provide the Secretary with such informa-
tion regarding individuals who are classified as 
‘medical improvement not expected’ for pur-
poses of entitlement to benefits under title II of 
the Social Security Act on the basis of a dis-
ability as the Secretary shall require for pur-
poses of carrying out this paragraph. 
‘‘(C) OPT-OUT PROCESS.—After receiving 
information regarding a borrower from the 
Commissioner under subparagraph (B), the 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) identify whether the individual 
has any loans under this title; and 
‘‘(ii) if the individual is a student bor-
rower of a loan described in subparagraph 
(A) or (B) of section 428(a)(1), or a loan 
under part D, notify the borrower, in writ-
ing, that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) the borrower qualifies for 
discharge under this section based on 
the determination of the Commis-
sioner; 
‘‘(II) unless the borrower re-
quests otherwise within 30 days after 
receiving the notification under sub-
clause (I), the Secretary shall dis-
charge the borrower’s liability on the 
loan in accordance with the require-
ments of this section; and 
‘‘(III) there may be tax implica-
tions to the borrower for a discharge 
under this paragraph; and 
‘‘(iii) if the borrower does not opt out 
of the discharge under this paragraph by 
the date specified in the notice, discharge 
the borrower’s liability on the loan, in ac-
cordance with the requirements of this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(D) GRACE PERIOD.—Any borrower who 
receives a discharge under this paragraph may, 
during the 1-year period immediately following 
the discharge, request that the Secretary re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
store the loan and reverse the discharge without 
suffering any penalty.’’. 
(b) PERKINS LOANS.—Section 464(c) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087dd(c)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8)(A) A student borrower whom the Commissioner 
of Social Security has classified as ‘medical improvement 
not expected’ for purposes of entitlement to benefits under 
title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) 
on the basis of a disability— 
‘‘(i) shall be considered permanently and totally 
disabled for the purpose of cancelling such bor-
rower’s loans under paragraph (1)(F); and 
‘‘(ii) shall not be required to present additional 
documentation for purposes of paragraph (1)(F). 
‘‘(B) The Secretary and the Commissioner of Social 
Security shall jointly develop procedures through which 
the Commissioner shall, on not less than a quarterly basis, 
provide the Secretary with such information regarding in-
dividuals who are classified as ‘medical improvement not 
expected’ for purposes of entitlement to benefits under 
title II of the Social Security Act on the basis of a dis-
ability as the Secretary shall require for purposes of car-
rying out this paragraph. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) After receiving information regarding a bor-
rower from the Commissioner under subparagraph (B), 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) identify whether the individual has any 
loans under this part; and 
‘‘(ii) if the individual is a student borrower of 
a loan under this part, notify the borrower, in writ-
ing, that— 
‘‘(I) the borrower qualifies for cancellation 
under this subsection based on the determina-
tion of the Commissioner; and 
‘‘(II) unless the borrower requests other-
wise within 30 days after receiving the notifica-
tion under subclause (I), the Secretary shall 
cancel the borrower’s liability on the loan in ac-
cordance with the requirements of this sub-
section; 
‘‘(III) there may be tax implications to the 
borrower for a loan cancellation under this 
paragraph; and 
‘‘(iii) if the borrower does not opt out of the 
cancellation under this paragraph by the date speci-
fied in the notice, cancel the borrower’s liability on 
the loan, in accordance with the requirements of this 
subsection. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) Any borrower who receives a cancellation under 
this paragraph may, during the 1-year period immediately 
following the cancellation, request that the Secretary re-
store the loan and reverse the cancellation without suf-
fering any penalty.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that 
is 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 110. ELIMINATION OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT REQUIRE-
MENT FOR PAST-DUE SUPPLEMENTAL SECU-
RITY INCOME BENEFITS PAID TO CHILD 
BENEFICIARIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1631(a)(2)(F) of the So-
cial Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(F)) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i)(I), by striking ‘‘Each rep-
resentative payee’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to clause 
(v), each representative payee’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following clause: 
‘‘(v) Beginning on the date of enact-
ment of this clause, the requirements of 
clause (i) shall cease to be effective, and 
any amounts maintained in an account es-
tablished on behalf of an individual under 
clause (i) shall be subject to the same re-
quirements, and may be used in the same 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
manner, as monthly benefits payable to 
such an individual under this title.’’. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Amounts transferred 
into the account of an individual pursuant to subsection 
(a) shall not be taken into account as income or resources 
of such individual for purposes of determining the eligi-
bility of such individual or any other individual for benefits 
or assistance, or the amount or extent of such benefits 
or assistance, under title XVI of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), under any other Federal pro-
gram, or under any State or local program financed in 
whole or in part with Federal funds. 
SEC. 111. INCREASING THE SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIV-
ITY LIMIT. 
Section 223(d)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 423(d)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking the second 
sentence; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(D)(i) Earnings derived from services shall 
demonstrate an individual’s ability to engage in sub-
stantial gainful activity when the amount of such 
earnings exceeds, on a monthly basis— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) for calendar year 2020, $2,400; 
and 
‘‘(II) for any calendar year after 
2020, subject to clause (ii), an amount 
equal to the amount that applied under 
this subparagraph for the preceding cal-
endar year multiplied by the quotient ob-
tained by dividing— 
‘‘(aa) the national average wage 
index (as defined in section 209(k)(1)) 
for the 12-month period ending with 
September of such preceding calendar 
year; by 
‘‘(bb) the national average wage 
index (as so defined) for the 12-month 
period ending with September 2019. 
‘‘(ii) In no case shall the amount deter-
mined for a calendar year under subclause (II) 
of clause (i) be less than the amount that ap-
plied under this subparagraph for the preceding 
calendar year.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 112. STATE GRANTS TO PROTECT THE LEGAL RIGHTS 
OF SSI AND SSDI APPLICANTS AND BENE-
FICIARIES. 
Title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1150B the 
following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1150C. STATE GRANTS TO PROTECT THE LEGAL 
RIGHTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AND 
DISABILITY INSURANCE APPLICANTS AND 
BENEFICIARIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner may make 
payments in each State to the protection and advocacy 
system established pursuant to part C of title I of the De-
velopmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act 
for the purpose of protecting the legal rights of bene-
ficiaries with a disability. 
‘‘(b) SERVICES PROVIDED.—Services provided to 
beneficiaries with a disability pursuant to a payment made 
under this section may include— 
‘‘(1) information and advice about accessing 
and applying for benefits under title II or title XVI 
on the basis of a disability and appealing eligibility 
decisions with respect to such benefits; 
‘‘(2) advocacy and other services that a bene-
ficiary with a disability may need related to such 
benefits; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(3) services described in section 1150(b). 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—In order to receive payments 
under this section, a protection and advocacy system shall 
submit an application to the Commissioner, at such time, 
in such form and manner, and accompanied by such infor-
mation and assurances as the Commissioner may require. 
‘‘(d) AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the amount ap-
propriated for a fiscal year for making payments 
under this section, a protection and advocacy system 
shall not be paid an amount that is less than— 
‘‘(A) in the case of a protection and advo-
cacy system located in one of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, $200,000; 
and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a protection and advo-
cacy system located in Guam, American Samoa, 
the United States Virgin Islands, or the Com-
monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
$100,000. 
‘‘(2) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.—For each fiscal 
year in which the total amount appropriated to carry 
out this section exceeds the total amount appro-
priated to carry out this section in the preceding fis-
cal year, the Commissioner shall increase each min-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
imum payment under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
paragraph (1) by a percentage equal to the percent-
age increase in the total amount so appropriated to 
carry out this section. 
‘‘(e) ANNUAL REPORT.—Each protection and advo-
cacy system that receives a payment under this section 
shall submit an annual report to the Commissioner on the 
services provided to individuals by the system. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) ALLOCATION
OF
PAYMENTS.—Payments 
under this section shall be made from amounts made 
available for the administration of title II and 
amounts made available for the administration of 
title XVI, and shall be allocated among those 
amounts as appropriate. 
‘‘(2) CARRYOVER.—Any amounts allotted for 
payment to a protection and advocacy system under 
this section for a fiscal year shall remain available 
for payment to or on behalf of the protection and 
advocacy system until the end of the succeeding fis-
cal year. 
‘‘(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BENEFICIARY WITH A DISABILITY.—The 
term ‘beneficiary with a disability’ means an indi-
vidual who— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) is a title II disability beneficiary or a 
title XVI disability beneficiary (as such terms 
are defined under section 1148(k)); or 
‘‘(B) is an applicant or prospective appli-
cant for benefits under title II or title XVI on 
the basis that such individual has a disability. 
‘‘(2) 
COMMISSIONER.—The 
term 
‘Commis-
sioner’ means the Commissioner of Social Security. 
‘‘(3) PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEM.— 
The term ‘protection and advocacy system’ means a 
protection and advocacy system established pursuant 
to part C of title I of the Developmental Disabilities 
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.’’. 
SEC. 113. SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND REPRESEN-
TATION GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For each fiscal year during the 
5-year period beginning with fiscal year 2020, the Com-
missioner shall award not less than 10 grants under this 
section to community-based organizations for the purpose 
of assisting beneficiaries with disabilities— 
(1) during the process of applying for benefits 
under title II or XVI of the Social Security Act (42 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
such services, shall be accessible to beneficiaries with 
a disability. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) BENEFICIARY
WITH
A
DISABILITY.—The 
term ‘‘beneficiary with a disability’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 1150C of the Social Secu-
rity Act (as added by section 112). 
(2) 
COMMISSIONER.—The 
term 
‘‘Commis-
sioner’’ means the Commissioner of Social Security. 
(3) COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term ‘‘community-based organization’’ means a non- 
profit agency or collaboration of non-profit agencies 
that— 
(A) serves a region of one or more States; 
(B) includes— 
(i) a legal team of lawyers licensed to 
practice in the State or States served by 
the organization; 
(ii) experts in disability benefits pro-
vided under title II and XVI of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 
et seq.), including application, and appeals 
procedures under such titles; and 
(iii) individuals currently receiving 
benefits on the basis of a disability under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
such a title, or who were beneficiaries 
under such a title on the basis of a dis-
ability within the past 5 years; and 
(C) is overseen by a board or advisory 
group composed of at least 1⁄3 members who are 
current or former beneficiaries on the basis of 
a disability under title II or XVI of the Social 
Security Act. 
(4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the 50 
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the 
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. 
(e) APPROPRIATION.—There is appropriated to the 
Commissioner, for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, 
$15,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section. 
(f) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each community-based or-
ganization that receives a grant under this sections 
shall provide the Commissioner with— 
(A) for each year of the grant period, an 
annual report on the services provided; and 
(B) at the conclusion of the grant period, 
a final report of activities provided under the 
grant. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) EVALUATION GRANT.—From the adminis-
trative funds of title II and title XVI, there shall be 
awarded an evaluation grant to an independent enti-
ty to evaluate the impact of the grants under this 
section. The amount to be awarded to the evaluation 
entity shall be at least $500,000 for each of the 5 
years of the grant period and at least $500,000 for 
the 2 years following the grant period. 
TITLE II—MEDICARE 
SEC. 201. FAIRNESS IN MEDICARE ENROLLMENT AND COV-
ERAGE PERIODS. 
(a) ELIMINATION OF MEDICARE COVERAGE GAPS 
FOR NEW ENROLLEES.—In the case of an individual who 
enrolled under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security 
Act during the general enrollment period under section 
1818 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–2) or enrolled under 
part B of such title during the general enrollment period 
under section 1837(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p(e)), 
the following shall apply: 
(1) COVERAGE PERIOD.—Notwithstanding sub-
section (c) of such section 1818 and subsection 
(a)(2)(E) of section 1838 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395q), such individual’s coverage period under such 
sections 1818 and 1838 shall begin on April 1, 
2020, rather than on July 1, 2020. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) INSTALLMENT
PLAN
FOR
RETROACTIVE 
PREMIUM
PAYMENTS.—Notwithstanding subsection 
(d) of such section 1818 and section 1839 of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r), if the individual is required 
to make any back payments of the monthly premium 
under such subsection (d) or such section 1839 by 
reason of the retroactive coverage period under para-
graph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services shall permit the individual, if requested by 
the individual, to pay such back payments in install-
ments, as determined by the Secretary. 
(b) SPECIAL PART B OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD 
RELATING TO THE COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMER-
GENCY.— 
(1) ENROLLMENT.—Section 1837 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(m) SPECIAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD RELAT-
ING TO THE COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.— 
In the case of any individual who is eligible to enroll but 
who has elected not to enroll (or to be deemed enrolled) 
under this part, there shall be a special enrollment period 
during the emergency period described in section 
1135(g)(1)(B).’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(2) COVERAGE PERIOD.—Section 1838 of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395q) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) Notwithstanding subsection (a), in the case of 
an individual who enrolls during a special enrollment pe-
riod pursuant to section 1837(m), the coverage period 
under this part shall begin on the date the individual ap-
plied for such enrollment (but in no case earlier than Jan-
uary 31, 2020).’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
1839(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395r(b)) is amended, in the first sentence, by strik-
ing ‘‘or (l)’’ and inserting ‘‘(l), or (m)’’. 
SEC. 202. PERMITTING AN ATTESTATION OF EMPLOYMENT- 
BASED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DUR-
ING THE COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMER-
GENCY. 
Subsection (b) of section 1839 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r) is amended by inserting the fol-
lowing after the second sentence: ‘‘With respect to enroll-
ments under this part during the emergency period de-
scribed in section 1135(g)(1)(B), for purposes of dem-
onstrating enrollment in a group health plan or a large 
group health plan for a period of time under the preceding 
sentence, the Secretary shall accept an attestation from 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
an individual regarding the individual’s coverage during 
such period in lieu of the individual providing otherwise 
required documentation.’’. 
SEC. 203. SUSPENSION OF THE MEDICARE PART D LOW-IN-
COME SUBSIDY ASSET TEST. 
Section 1860D–14(a)(3) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395w–114(a)(3)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking 
‘‘meets’’ and inserting ‘‘subject to subparagraph 
(H), meets’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(H) SUSPENSION OF THE ASSET TEST.— 
During the period beginning on the date of en-
actment of this subparagraph and ending on 
December 31 of the year following the year that 
includes the date of the end of the emergency 
period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), sub-
paragraph (A) shall be applied without regard 
to clause (iii) of such subparagraph.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
TITLE III—MEDICAID 
SEC. 301. SUSPENSION OF ASSET TEST FOR MEDICAL AS-
SISTANCE FOR MEDICARE COST SHARING 
DURING COVID–19 EMERGENCY PERIOD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—During the period described in 
subsection (b), for purposes of determining eligibility for 
medical assistance for Medicare cost sharing under section 
1902(a)(10)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396a(a)(10)(E))— 
(1) subsection (p)(1) of section 1905 of the So-
cial Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) shall be applied 
by disregarding subparagraph (C) of such sub-
section; and 
(2) subsection (s) of such section shall be ap-
plied by disregarding paragraph (3) of such sub-
section. 
(b) COVID–19 EMERGENCY PERIOD.—The period 
described in this subsection is the period— 
(1) beginning on the date of enactment of this 
Act; and 
(2) ending with the last day of the twelfth 
month that begins on or after the last day of the 
public 
health 
emergency 
described 
in 
section 
1135(g)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b– 
5(g)(1)(B)). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 302. TEMPORARY INCREASE OF MEDICAID FMAP FOR 
MEDICARE COST-SHARING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, for each calendar quarter occurring during 
the period described in section 301(b), the Federal medical 
assistance percentage applicable under section 1903(a) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)) for each 
State, including the District of Columbia, American 
Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto 
Rico, and the Virgin Islands, with respect to amounts ex-
pended by such State on medical assistance for Medicare 
cost-sharing (as defined in section 1905(p)(3) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1396d(p)(3))) provided during such period, 
shall be equal to 100 percent. 
(b) EXCLUSION
OF ENHANCED PAYMENTS FROM 
TERRITORIAL PAYMENT LIMITS.—To the extent that a 
Federal payment for Medicare cost-sharing that is made 
to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Is-
lands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands is increased 
pursuant to subsection (a)— 
(1) the limitations on payments to territories 
under subsections (f) and (g) of section 1108 of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) shall not apply 
to the amount of such increase; and 
(2) the amount of such increase shall be dis-
regarded in applying such subsections. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 303. DELAY IN REDUCTION OF FMAP FOR MEDICAID 
PERSONAL 
CARE 
SERVICES 
FURNISHED 
WITHOUT AN ELECTRONIC VISIT VERIFICA-
TION SYSTEM. 
Section 1903(l)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396b(l)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2020’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the date that is 6 months after the end of the 
emergency 
period 
described 
in 
section 
1135(g)(1)(B)’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘(if appli-
cable)’’ after ‘‘percentage points’’ each place it ap-
pears. 
TITLE IV—AGRICULTURE 
SEC. 401. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED PERIOD.—The term ‘‘covered pe-
riod’’ means the period beginning on the date of en-
actment of this Act and ending on the date on which 
the public health emergency declared by the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services under section 
319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
247d) on January 31, 2020, with respect to 
COVID–19, is terminated. 
(2) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘program’’ means 
the commodity supplemental food program estab-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
lished under section 4 of the Agriculture and Con-
sumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; 
Public Law 93–86). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(b) TEMPORARY MODIFICATIONS TO PROGRAM.— 
(1) DELIVERY FLEXIBILITY.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, during the covered pe-
riod, the Secretary shall permit each State and State 
agency to modify practices under the program to 
achieve contactless delivery of commodities, includ-
ing by waiving the requirement for signature from 
program participants at the time of delivery. 
(2) MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, during the covered pe-
riod, the Secretary may use appropriated funds 
under the program to increase by not more 
than 200 percent the maximum monthly quan-
tity of commodities distributed to each program 
participant. 
(B) SUPPLEMENT
NOT
SUPPLANT.—The 
increased commodities described in subpara-
graph (A) shall supplement and not supplant 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
the regular distribution of commodities under 
the program. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:10 Jun 13, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6951.IH
H6951
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS