Proposed 'Valid Benefits Act' Mandates Bi-Annual Eligibility Checks for Benefit Recipients Aged 105+

The proposed Valid Benefits Act is laser-focused on one very specific group: people receiving federal benefits who are 105 years old or older. The bill requires any federal agency distributing benefits to these individuals—think Social Security or Veterans Affairs—to confirm their eligibility twice a year, or every six months (SEC. 2. Checking Eligibility for Supercentenarians).

This isn't happening tomorrow; the new verification requirement won't kick in until benefit payments made on or after December 31, 2025 (SEC. 2. When This Starts). The goal here is simple: program integrity. Agencies want to ensure that benefits intended for these supercentenarians aren't being improperly paid out if the recipient is no longer eligible.

The Supercentenarian Check-Up

For the vast majority of people, this bill means nothing. But for the small, incredibly elderly population it targets, it means a significant increase in administrative scrutiny. Right now, most benefit eligibility checks happen periodically or when a specific life event is reported. Under this act, for anyone aged 105 and up, that check becomes mandatory and semi-annual.

Federal agency heads are given the authority to write the specific rules and regulations needed to implement this verification process (SEC. 2. Making the Rules). This is where the rubber meets the road: while the intent is to stop fraud, the practical reality is that agencies have broad latitude to decide how they verify eligibility. For someone who is 105, frail, and possibly homebound or living in a care facility, a complex or intrusive verification process—like requiring specific in-person appointments or detailed paperwork submissions—could be a real hardship.

The Trade-Off: Integrity vs. Burden

On one hand, this bill is a straightforward attempt to tighten up the system and save taxpayer money by preventing improper payments, which is a clear benefit to the public and the system's solvency. On the other hand, the cost is borne by the most vulnerable recipients. Imagine your 105-year-old relative having to prove they are still alive and still eligible every six months. If the verification procedure is poorly designed, it could lead to unnecessary stress, administrative errors, or even the temporary loss of benefits due to difficulty complying with the new rules.

Since agency heads get to write the specific rules, the impact will vary wildly. One agency might implement a simple, low-effort electronic check, while another might require detailed, recurring documentation. This flexibility is a double-edged sword: it allows agencies to tailor the process, but it also creates the potential for excessive red tape for a population that can least afford the hassle.