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Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act

USA118th CongressHR-6427| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2024
Diana Harshbarger

Diana Harshbarger

Republican Representative

Tennessee

Ways and Means Committee, Social Security Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act This bill permits Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries with specified terminal illnesses to elect expedited payment of benefits in exchange for a reduction in the amount of their monthly benefit. Specifically, the bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to establish a list of medical conditions that qualify an individual for expedited payment. These conditions must have no known cure, must involve a life expectancy of five years or less, and must be present on the most recent Compassionate Allowances list (a list of medical conditions that, by definition, meet the standards for SSDI benefits). The bill directs SSA to update the list every five years. Congress must approve each medical condition added to the list. Under the bill, individuals diagnosed with a specified terminal condition may elect to receive SSDI benefits beginning the month after the onset of disability. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits. Individuals who opt to receive expedited payment must accept a 7% reduction in monthly benefits. Separately, the bill prohibits individuals receiving unemployment benefits from simultaneously receiving SSDI benefits. The bill also permits SSA to collect less than 100% of an overpaid Social Security beneficiary’s monthly benefit, so long as the collection amount is not less than 10% of their monthly benefit.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6870
Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act
Nov 15, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-3316
Introduced in Senate
Nov 15, 2023
Introduced in House
Nov 15, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Dec 17, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6870
    Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act


  • November 15, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-3316
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 15, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • November 15, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • December 17, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • S 118-3316: Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act

Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act

USA118th CongressHR-6427| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2024
Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act This bill permits Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries with specified terminal illnesses to elect expedited payment of benefits in exchange for a reduction in the amount of their monthly benefit. Specifically, the bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to establish a list of medical conditions that qualify an individual for expedited payment. These conditions must have no known cure, must involve a life expectancy of five years or less, and must be present on the most recent Compassionate Allowances list (a list of medical conditions that, by definition, meet the standards for SSDI benefits). The bill directs SSA to update the list every five years. Congress must approve each medical condition added to the list. Under the bill, individuals diagnosed with a specified terminal condition may elect to receive SSDI benefits beginning the month after the onset of disability. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits. Individuals who opt to receive expedited payment must accept a 7% reduction in monthly benefits. Separately, the bill prohibits individuals receiving unemployment benefits from simultaneously receiving SSDI benefits. The bill also permits SSA to collect less than 100% of an overpaid Social Security beneficiary’s monthly benefit, so long as the collection amount is not less than 10% of their monthly benefit.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6870
Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act
Nov 15, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-3316
Introduced in Senate
Nov 15, 2023
Introduced in House
Nov 15, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Dec 17, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6870
    Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act


  • November 15, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-3316
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 15, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • November 15, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • December 17, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Diana Harshbarger

Diana Harshbarger

Republican Representative

Tennessee

Ways and Means Committee, Social Security Subcommittee

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • S 118-3316: Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted