# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 357

This bill requires federal agencies that distribute benefits to people aged 105 and older to double-check twice a year that these individuals still qualify for the money they're receiving. The idea is to catch situations where someone might be receiving benefits they're no longer entitled to—for example, if their income changed, their living situation shifted, or if they've passed away but payments continued going to their account.

The bill applies to any federal benefit program, which could include Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, federal employee pensions, or other government assistance programs. Each agency gets to decide how they'll verify eligibility, whether that's through phone calls, mail-in forms, in-person visits, or other methods. The agencies can also create their own specific rules for how to carry out these checks.

The practical effect is that very elderly people receiving federal benefits will need to periodically confirm they're still alive and still meet the eligibility requirements for their benefits. For most people legitimately receiving benefits, this just means responding to occasional verification requests. However, if someone is receiving benefits they shouldn't be—either through honest mistake or fraud—these checks are designed to catch that and stop improper payments. The bill became effective starting December 31, 2022, so these verification checks should already be happening for people 105 and older.

To direct Federal departments and agencies to verify eligibility for Federal benefits for individuals 105 years of age or older, and for other purposes.

Steube, W. Gregory

 <p>This bill requires departments or agencies that provide federal benefits to verify the eligibility of any beneficiary age 105 or older. This must occur on a semiannual basis.</p>