WJHL: Harshbarger hopes bill will reduce red tape for those with a terminal illness

WASHINGTON (WJHL) - Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger has reintroduced legislation to help those with a terminal illness receive their Social Security Disability Insurance benefits more quickly.

According to a news release, the Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act would remove the five-month waiting period for those with a terminal illness who are unable to work. Some don't live long enough to receive their benefits.

To be eligible, a person must have a disease listed on the Social Security Compassionate Allowance List, have a disease with no known cure, or have an average life expectancy of five years or less from the date of diagnosis.

"No one diagnosed with a terminal illness should spend their final months tangled in government red tape," Harshbarger said. "At life's most difficult moments, families deserve compassion, certainty, and peace of mind. This legislation ensures timely access to earned benefits while remaining fiscally responsible, and I'm proud to work with Senator Mike Lee to make it law."

Lee reintroduced the legislation in the Senate.

Under the bill, someone with a terminal illness would have two options: immediately assess their monthly SSDI cash benefits in exchange for a 7% reduction or wait five months and receive their full benefits.

According to the release, the bill would also:

• Require any future additions to the Compassionate Allowance Initiative to be recommended by the Social Security Administration and approved by Congress
• Update the overpayment collection threshold for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) from $10 to 10 percent, aligning it with the overpayment threshold in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
• Eliminate the ability of individuals to access both SSDI benefits and unemployment benefits at the same time

According to the release, an analysis by the Social Security Office of the Chief Actuary determined the legislation would save the Social Security program $5.6 billion over the next decade.