Legislation would increase benefits by $200 per month for six months, offering relief while costs rise due to Trump’s chaotic tariffs, Republicans’ health care cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and eight Senate Democrats in introducing the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, legislation to provide rapid relief by expanding Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits by $200 per month for six months. The bill follows a recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) at just $56 per month, on average.
“President Trump’s reckless economic policies are raising costs for seniors left and right—from the grocery store to the pharmacy counter. For seniors living on a fixed income, the President’s tariffs and rising inflation have meant that their Social Security benefits don’t stretch as far as they used to,” said Senator Welch. “Our bill provides a financial lifeline to seniors to help them weather the disastrous impacts of Trump’s trade war.”
“While Donald Trump sends $40 billion to Argentina, I’m proposing sending American seniors on Social Security an extra $200 a month to offset higher prices. The cost of everything from coffee to beef to health care is up, in large part due Trump’s chaotic tariffs, and Democrats are fighting to deliver some financial relief and lower costs for Americans,” said Senator Warren. “This new legislation to expand Social Security is an emergency lifeline for seniors struggling to afford Trump’s tariffs and rising inflation.”
“Trump campaigned on lowering costs, but all he has done is raise tariffs, slash healthcare benefits, and sabotage energy projects, increasing prices on everything from groceries to electricity,” said Leader Schumer. “Seniors face difficult decisions as they see their bank accounts shrinking and the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is simply not reflective of the current reality. I urge Republicans to join with us to help offset the cost of Trump’s inflationary trade war and give seniors the money they deserve.”
“Seniors, families and Americans with disabilities can’t keep up with the higher costs Donald Trump is inflicting on the country. Trump has fanned the flames of inflation and passed out tax breaks to billionaires, betraying his promises to lower costs yet again. Democrats are fighting back to help seniors afford basic necessities while Trump refuses to lift a finger,” said Senator Wyden.
In addition to Senators Welch, Warren, Wyden, and Leader Schumer, the bill is also cosponsored by Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
The Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would provide critical relief to Americans living on a fixed income by providing a $200 per month emergency increase to Social Security checks until July 2026. The legislation would also support all Title II Social Security beneficiaries, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries, Railroad Retirement beneficiaries, veteran disability compensation, and veteran pension benefit annuitants.
Just last week, the Trump administration announced that the 2026 cost of living adjustment will be 2.8%—equivalent to just $56 extra a month on average. Meanwhile, thanks to President Trump’s chaotic tariffs and the Republicans’ giant health care cuts, prices—particularly for food and health care—are rising quickly, leaving families struggling to afford basic necessities. This new bill would provide relief to seniors, veterans, and Americans with disabilities who live on a fixed income and are being flattened by Trump’s economy.
The President’s failing economy hits American seniors and people with disabilities especially hard. Half of all American seniors rely on Social Security for half of their income, while Social Security is the sole source of income for one in every four seniors. Due to stringent eligibility requirements, SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are even more likely to be the sole source of income for their beneficiaries. Over half of seniors’ monthly spending is on housing, food, and transportation—all basic necessities that are only becoming less affordable in Trump’s economy.
The Trump Administration has also gutted the workforce and in-person services at the Social Security Administration, ultimately making it far more difficult for seniors to claim their benefits at a time when those monthly checks are more critical than ever.
Read and download the full text of the legislation.
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