Bill · H.R. 8490· House(119-HR-8490)
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/23/2026
- Last activity
- 4/23/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Bradley Schneider
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 seeks to amend title II of the Social Security Act. It proposes to credit individuals who serve as caregivers for dependent relatives with deemed wages. This credit applies to qualifying months where an individual provides at least 80 hours of unpaid care. The credit is intended to bolster economic prospects and provide retirement security for unpaid caregivers. These deemed wages would be applied to determine Social Security benefits or lump-sum death payments. The law limits the total number of qualifying months to 60.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this strengthen Social Security?+7
The bill amends the Social Security Act to credit caregivers with deemed wages to bolster their retirement security.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+6
The bill enhances retirement security for caregivers through deemed Social Security wages.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill provides a mechanism for unpaid caregivers to build future income and social security benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Retirement Security: The bill aims to bolster the economic prospects of unpaid caregivers and provide them with vital retirement security (Section 2, a, 2).
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Financial Credit for Caregivers: Individuals engaging in at least 80 hours of unpaid care in a month can be credited with deemed wages for their service (Section 3, a, 1, A).
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Benefit for Caregivers of Veterans: Assistance provided to a family caregiver of an eligible veteran under section 1720G of title 38, United States Code, is not considered monetary compensation, allowing the caregiver to still potentially qualify for deemed wages (Section 3, a, 1, C).
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Coverage for Various Family Members: The credit applies to a wide range of dependents, including children under 12, as well as chronically dependent parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, spouses, or domestic partners (Section 3, a, 2, A and B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Time Limits on Benefits: The credit is limited to a maximum of 60 qualifying months; any months beyond that will not be taken into account (Section 3, b, 1, B).
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Bureaucratic Requirements: To receive credit, individuals must submit applications containing identifying information, physician documentation for those not qualifying as a child under 12, and undergo periodic certification to verify that information has not changed (Section 3, c, 2, A and B).
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Benefit Limitations: The deemed wages will not be applied if a larger monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment would be payable without the application of these wages (Section 3, b, 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Seniors+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Veterans+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+7Improves Disability Rights+5
- 7/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Grace MengDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine