Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283).
What this bill does
H.R. 8884, the "Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act," would amend Section 234 of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the government's authority to run experimental and demonstration projects for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. This authority had expired and would now be extended so new projects can be established through December 31, 2030, with authority to continue running them through December 31, 2031. The bill also extends related waiver authority, lengthens a notice period to Congress from 90 to 120 days before starting a project, requires that project proposals include evaluation metrics, clarifies how administrative costs and participant benefits are funded from Social Security trust funds, and adds a requirement that a participant's total income cannot be reduced solely because of participation in a demonstration project. The changes would take effect January 1, 2027.
The bill primarily affects the Social Security Administration, which administers SSDI, and disabled individuals receiving or applying for disability benefits who might take part in demonstration projects—often designed to test ways to help beneficiaries work without immediately losing benefits. It also affects policymakers and researchers who rely on these projects to study program changes.
The bill passed the House on July 23, 2026, by a vote of 232–188, and now goes to the Senate for consideration. It would need Senate passage and the President's signature to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act
This bill reauthorizes through 2031 the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) authority to carry out demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill also imposes requirements related to beneficiary income, project funding, and SSA reporting.
SSDI demonstration projects must be designed to promote attachment to the workforce and generally involve temporary changes to SSDI policies tested on a subset of beneficiaries. Participation in a demonstration project must be voluntary. SSA’s authority to carry out these projects expired on December 31, 2022.
Under the bill, SSA must ensure that an individual’s participation in a demonstration project does not reduce their total income. Further, the bill specifies that administrative expenses related to demonstration projects must be paid from funds appropriated for administration.
Finally, the bill requires SSA to report to Congress 120 days before initiating a demonstration project. This is an increase from 90 days under current law. This advance notification must include evaluation metrics for the relevant project.
Timeline
23 Jul 2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283).
21 May 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 16.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8884 do?
- H.R. 8884, the "Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act," would amend Section 234 of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the government's authority to run experimental and demonstration projects for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. This authority had expired and would now be extended so new projects can be established through December 31, 2030, with authority to continue running them through December 31, 2031. The bill also extends related waiver authority, lengthens a notice period to Congress from 90 to 120 days before starting a project, requires that project proposals include evaluation metrics, clarifies how administrative costs and participant benefits are funded from Social Security trust funds, and adds a requirement that a participant's total income cannot be reduced solely because of participation in a demonstration project. The changes would take effect January 1, 2027. The bill primarily affects the Social Security Administration, which administers SSDI, and disabled individuals receiving or applying for disability benefits who might take part in demonstration projects—often designed to test ways to help beneficiaries work without immediately losing benefits. It also affects policymakers and researchers who rely on these projects to study program changes. The bill passed the House on July 23, 2026, by a vote of 232–188, and now goes to the Senate for consideration. It would need Senate passage and the President's signature to become law.
- Has H.R. 8884 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, H.R. 8884 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 8884?
- H.R. 8884 was sponsored by Rep. Austin Scott [R-GA8] (Republican-GA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8884?
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283). (23 Jul 2026).
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