California AB246 allows tenants to use Social Security hardship as a defense against eviction for nonpayment of rent.

California AB246, known as the Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025, allows tenants to assert Social Security hardship as an affirmative defense in unlawful detainer proceedings based on nonpayment of rent. To use this defense, tenants must provide evidence that their Social Security benefits were interrupted due to federal government action or inaction and that this interruption prevented them from paying rent. If the court accepts this defense, it must stay the eviction until the tenant's benefits are restored or six months have passed, whichever is sooner.

California AB246 allows tenants to use Social Security hardship as a defense against eviction for nonpayment of rent.

California AB246, known as the Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025, allows tenants to assert Social Security hardship as an affirmative defense in unlawful detainer proceedings based on nonpayment of rent. To use this defense, tenants must provide evidence that their Social Security benefits were interrupted due to federal government action or inaction and that this interruption prevented them from paying rent. If the court accepts this defense, it must stay the eviction until the tenant's benefits are restored or six months have passed, whichever is sooner.