Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026

This bill would make people ineligible for federal assistance benefits unless they sign a written statement, under penalty of perjury, that they are U.S. citizens or nationals and have that status verified. Verification would require proof of citizenship, a photo ID, and a Social Security number checked against Social Security and Homeland Security records and the SAVE program. Covered programs include income- or resource-based federal benefits and benefits under the Social Security Act. People found ineligible would be notified and could appeal, and entities that willfully and repeatedly give benefits to unverified people would be disqualified from providing them. The rules would apply to eligibility decisions starting one year after enactment, and all recipients would have to meet them within two years.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Glenn Grothman Republican sponsor
• 4 cosponsors