This bill establishes an affirmative defense for tenants facing eviction due to non-payment of rent, specifically in cases where the tenant has experienced a "Social Security hardship." Defined as a loss of income resulting from the interruption of Social Security benefits due to federal government actions, this hardship does not include terminations based on ineligibility. Tenants asserting this defense must provide evidence that their Social Security benefits have been terminated, delayed, or reduced, and that this situation has adversely affected their ability to pay rent. If the tenant meets these criteria, the court is required to stay the eviction proceedings for either 14 days after the benefits are restored or for a maximum of six months.

Additionally, the bill mandates that tenants must either pay all past due rent or enter into a payment plan with their landlord within 14 days of their benefits being restored. If the tenant complies with these provisions, the court is instructed to dismiss the eviction notice. However, the bill clarifies that it does not prevent a court from determining that a tenant was in arrears prior to the onset of the Social Security hardship.