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Advocates press for restored COLA and higher SSI/SSP grants as rents rise
Summary
Department of Social Services officials and advocates told budget subcommittees that Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) grants remain below needs for many seniors and people with disabilities, and proposed restoring an annual state COLA and raising grants toward 100% of the federal poverty level.
The Assembly hearing reviewed SSISSP grant levels, how they compare to the federal poverty level and fair‑market rents, and legislative options to restore purchasing power for low‑income older adults and Californians with disabilities.
Danielle Morris of the Department of Social Services (CDSS) summarized recent grant changes: the individual combined SSI/SSP maximum is $1,206.94 per month (Feb. 2025 statutory figure cited on record) and the couples maximum is $2,057.83. Morris noted the administration’s estimation that applying the California Necessities Index (a 3% example used in testimony) as a state COLA for January 1, 2026 would cost about $54.5 million one‑time in 2025–26 and roughly $108.9 million ongoing thereafter.
Advocates from the Western Center on Law and Poverty and Californians for SSI urged reinstating a standing state COLA and ultimately restoring grants to at least 100% of the federal poverty level, a change they said should be phased in. The advocacy groups pointed to data showing that the fair‑market rent for a studio exceeds half of the individual grant in all 58 counties and exceeds the entire grant in 28 counties; CDSS said the individual grant is insufficient to cover fair‑market rent in 26 counties and the couples grant is insufficient in 16 counties.
Advocates and some lawmakers framed unrestricted cash grants as an efficient way to stabilize housing and reduce senior homelessness, and noted federal policy uncertainty that could put further pressure on state safety‑net programs. LAO and Department of Finance staff said they will provide technical assistance on the cost estimates and noted uncertainty in caseload and federal COLA projections.
Legislators asked for data on how many people experiencing or at risk of homelessness receive SSI/SSP to help prioritize trade‑offs among housing, benefits and program funding choices for the budget cycle.
