Senators Hassan, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help People Diagnosed with Terminal Illness or Serious Disability Access Their Earned Benefits Faster

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to help people diagnosed with a terminal illness or serious disability start receiving their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits as soon as possible. Under current law, even after the Social Security Administration confirms that someone is disabled and eligible for benefits, they are forced to wait five months before receiving any payments - delaying access to benefits that they have already earned at one of the most difficult times in their lives. The We Can't Wait Act would give people the option to begin receiving their benefits quicker, in exchange for a modest reduction in their monthly benefit amount, at no additional cost to the federal government.

"People diagnosed with a terminal disease or other serious disability should not be forced to wait five months to start receiving the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits that that they earned while working," said Senator Hassan. "This bipartisan bill is a commonsense way to give people an option to receive their Social Security Disability benefits more quickly, without increasing the cost for the federal government. I will continue working to help people who experience disabilities access the resources that they need."

"This bipartisan legislation is a straightforward, compassionate, and fiscally responsible step forward," said Senator Collins. "It respects the financial integrity of the SSDI program while providing a crucial option to hardworking Americans who simply cannot wait even five months for the benefits they have worked for and desperately need."

Specifically, the We Can't Wait Act:

• Gives eligible individuals with disabilities the option to bypass the current five-month waiting period and receive the benefits they have earned without further delay, in exchange for a modest reduction in their monthly benefit;
• Maintains the actuarial balance in the SSDI Trust Fund over the 75-year projection period; and
• Makes no other changes to SSDI - does not alter eligibility criteria, the determination process, or benefit levels for those who choose not to bypass the waiting period.

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