Legis Daily

Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4255| Senate 
| Updated: 3/26/2026
John Barrasso

John Barrasso

Republican Senator

Wyoming

Cosponsors (5)
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to accelerate access to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness. It amends the Social Security Act to provide phased-in payments during the standard five-month waiting period, offering earlier financial support to those facing severe health challenges. This initiative recognizes the urgent needs of terminally ill individuals by modifying existing benefit structures. Under the proposed changes, terminally ill individuals would receive 50 percent of their full monthly benefit in the first calendar month of disability and 75 percent in the second month. To qualify for these expedited payments, a terminal illness diagnosis, as defined for hospice care, must be certified by at least two independent physicians who are not related or in the same practice. This provision is designed to alleviate financial burdens during a critical time for beneficiaries. The legislation also includes mechanisms for benefit adjustment if individuals receive payments for extended periods, specifically after 12 and 24 consecutive months, which may result in slight reductions to account for the accelerated initial payments. Furthermore, it mandates comprehensive oversight through annual reports from the Social Security Administration and a one-time evaluation by the Government Accountability Office. These reports will assess the program's impact, expenditures, and recommend measures to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, ensuring accountability and effectiveness.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2262
Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4133
Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 26, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2262
    Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4133
    Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022


  • March 26, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 26, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Social Welfare

Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4255| Senate 
| Updated: 3/26/2026
This bill aims to accelerate access to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness. It amends the Social Security Act to provide phased-in payments during the standard five-month waiting period, offering earlier financial support to those facing severe health challenges. This initiative recognizes the urgent needs of terminally ill individuals by modifying existing benefit structures. Under the proposed changes, terminally ill individuals would receive 50 percent of their full monthly benefit in the first calendar month of disability and 75 percent in the second month. To qualify for these expedited payments, a terminal illness diagnosis, as defined for hospice care, must be certified by at least two independent physicians who are not related or in the same practice. This provision is designed to alleviate financial burdens during a critical time for beneficiaries. The legislation also includes mechanisms for benefit adjustment if individuals receive payments for extended periods, specifically after 12 and 24 consecutive months, which may result in slight reductions to account for the accelerated initial payments. Furthermore, it mandates comprehensive oversight through annual reports from the Social Security Administration and a one-time evaluation by the Government Accountability Office. These reports will assess the program's impact, expenditures, and recommend measures to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, ensuring accountability and effectiveness.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2262
Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4133
Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 26, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2262
    Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4133
    Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022


  • March 26, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 26, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
John Barrasso

John Barrasso

Republican Senator

Wyoming

Cosponsors (5)
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Finance Committee

Social Welfare

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted