H.R.8490

Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 provides deemed wages for unpaid caregivers of dependent relatives.

The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 amends title II of the Social Security Act to credit unpaid caregivers with deemed wages for up to five years of service. Caregivers who provide at least 80 hours of care per month to a dependent relative without monetary compensation can receive deemed wages. The bill defines a dependent relative as a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, spouse, or domestic partner. The deemed wages are calculated based on the national average wage index. The bill also includes provisions to prevent fraud and abuse.