From DC: Eviction Crisis Act, 2027 Social Security COLA, HCBS Updates, and More

Bipartisan Eviction Crisis Act Introduced in Congress

Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Todd Young (R-IN) recently introduced the Eviction Crisis Act (S. 5535), which would create a national emergency rental assistance program for low-income households at risk of eviction. This bipartisan bill would also form a national database to track evictions, provide grants for state/local eviction diversion programs, and reform tenant screening reports to reduce the impacts of past eviction filings on future housing access.

Almost 60% of older renters (representing 4.5 million households) experience housing cost burdens, with the majority spending over half their income on housing costs. These older adults are often one emergency away from falling behind on rent and losing their homes. The Eviction Crisis Act aims to help such renters stay housed and prevent evictions and homelessness.

Social Security Announces 3.6% COLA for 2027

The Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The increase will take effect with January 2027 Social Security benefits and will increase the maximum federal SSI benefit to $1,029 per month for an individual and $1,544 for a couple.

The annual COLA is an important protection that helps prevent inflation from eroding the value of benefits that millions of older adults and people with disabilities rely on to meet their basic needs. Learn more about the importance of Social Security and SSI in our blog.

HCBS Policy Action Tracker Updates and New Interactive Dashboard

The HCBS Impacts Tracker Project, led by George Washington University’s Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program and other project partners, recently updated its HCBS Policy Action Tracker. This tool tracks state Medicaid policy changes affecting Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for older adults and people with disabilities. 

Since Congress enacted the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025 (H.R. 1), the tracker notes 82 total actions impacting Medicaid HCBS across 35 states. Among enacted policy changes, 49% are cuts to Medicaid HCBS, 47% are increases, and the remainder result in both cuts and increases to HCBS. 

To bring together information in a user-friendly way, the project also recently launched a new interactive dashboard, which allows users to view trends and dig deeper into their states’ policies. For more resources, see Justice in Aging’s advocacy to mitigate harm to older adults as states change their Medicaid programs as a result of H.R. 1. 

Congress Passes Bill Changing Social Security Claiming Age Terminology

Congress recently passed the bipartisan Claiming Age Clarity Act (H.R. 5284), which would change how the Social Security Administration describes the ages at which people claim Social Security retirement benefits. The bill does not change Social Security eligibility ages or benefit amounts. Instead, the changes are intended to help people better understand how the age at which they claim Social Security affects their monthly benefit.

Under the bill, the term “early eligibility age” would become “minimum monthly benefit age.” This change would highlight that claiming benefits at the earliest eligible age results in a lower benefit than claiming benefits later. Additionally, the term “full retirement age” would become “standard monthly benefit age.” And for those claiming at age 70 or older (when delaying no longer increases monthly benefits), the term “delayed retirement credit” would be replaced with “maximum monthly benefit age.” SSA would be required to update terminology in its rules, guidance, and other materials.

The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 29 after passing the House last December. It now needs the President’s signature to become law.