Trump Administration Proposal Targets SSI Benefits for Disabled Adults Living With Family

A proposed Trump administration regulation could reduce Supplemental Security Income for disabled adults who reside with family members, according to documents and interviews with advocates. The policy shift targets a population that relies heavily on federal assistance to maintain independent or semi-independent living arrangements, raising concerns about coverage gaps for some of the most vulnerable recipients.

Shy'tyra Burton, a young disabled woman from Philadelphia, represents the demographic most exposed under the proposal. Born prematurely and diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities that resulted in an IQ below 70, Burton spent her early years largely confined to medical facilities until age 4. Despite graduating from a special education program and attempting community college, she has been unable to secure employment. After medical and psychological evaluations and a judicial hearing, Burton was approved for SSI and Medicaid—benefits that currently allow her to remain in her family home while receiving necessary support services.

Under the current SSI structure, household composition and parental income factors already influence benefit calculations. The proposed regulation would alter how these factors are assessed, potentially treating family-provided housing and support as countable resources in ways that could substantially lower monthly benefits for recipients living with parents or relatives. Administration officials have indicated the change aims to narrow program eligibility and reduce perceived incentives for family arrangements designed to maximize benefits. Disability rights advocates warn the measure could force families to choose between maintaining coverage and pursuing independent living arrangements that may not be feasible without current support levels. The proposal remains under review, with advocates calling for revisions that account for the genuine care needs this population requires.