The bill amends the Social Security Act to provide an option for disabled individuals with specific incurable terminal illnesses to receive disability insurance benefits without a waiting period. To qualify, their medical condition must be on a list published by the Commissioner of Social Security, based on the Compassionate Allowance list, with an average life expectancy of under five years and no known cure. This list will be updated every five years through a formal rulemaking process. Individuals electing this immediate benefit will receive 93 percent of the otherwise determined benefit amount. This election must be made at the time of application for disability benefits and is irrevocable . Additionally, the legislation requires that any future additions to the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowance Conditions list must receive Congressional approval through a bill or joint resolution. A significant provision of the bill prohibits the concurrent receipt of Social Security disability benefits and unemployment compensation. If an individual is entitled to both in the same month, their Social Security disability benefits will be reduced to zero. To facilitate enforcement, the Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to obtain necessary information from federal agencies and state unemployment programs.
The bill amends the Social Security Act to provide an option for disabled individuals with specific incurable terminal illnesses to receive disability insurance benefits without a waiting period. To qualify, their medical condition must be on a list published by the Commissioner of Social Security, based on the Compassionate Allowance list, with an average life expectancy of under five years and no known cure. This list will be updated every five years through a formal rulemaking process. Individuals electing this immediate benefit will receive 93 percent of the otherwise determined benefit amount. This election must be made at the time of application for disability benefits and is irrevocable . Additionally, the legislation requires that any future additions to the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowance Conditions list must receive Congressional approval through a bill or joint resolution. A significant provision of the bill prohibits the concurrent receipt of Social Security disability benefits and unemployment compensation. If an individual is entitled to both in the same month, their Social Security disability benefits will be reduced to zero. To facilitate enforcement, the Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to obtain necessary information from federal agencies and state unemployment programs.