WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation to expedite the payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to individuals with terminal illnesses by eliminating the 5-month waiting period.
“When Americans are facing end of life decisions, Washington’s red tape should be the last thing on their minds,” said Barrasso. “Our bill strikes an important balance between helping people with terminal illnesses receive their benefits and ensuring the integrity of the system. This will make sure Americans facing significant hardships receive help when they need it the most.”
"The Social Security disability insurance program doesn’t recognize the hardships that terminally ill individuals may face during the current five-month waiting period for benefits," said Enzi. “Our bill would provide a solution for people facing these difficult circumstances while helping prevent possible fraud and abuse.”
“Americans with a terminal illness shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can afford groceries or pay their utility bills,” Brown said. “This bill would ensure that those certified to have a terminal illness can receive the Social Security Disability Insurance they deserve, and the peace of mind that comes with it.”
Background:
S.1311, the “Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2013,” expedites the payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to individuals who will not live long enough to receive any benefits under the 5 month waiting period in existing law. Under the legislation, eligible individuals would begin receiving benefits in the first month. The breakdown of the benefit payments is provided below:
• 1st month: 50% of monthly benefits
• 2nd month: 75% of monthly benefits
• 3rd- 12th month: 100% of monthly benefits
• Year 2: The benefit amount for each month is the regular monthly benefit
minus a pro rata share of the total amount of benefits paid during what would otherwise be the five month waiting period.
• Year 3 and beyond: The benefit amount for each month is 95% of the regular benefit.
How to qualify for expedited payments:
The bill eliminates the 5 month waiting period for any person diagnosed to be terminally ill. “Terminally ill” is defined as a person that has a medical prognosis that his or her life expectancy is 6 months or less. To prevent fraud and abuse, at least 2 physicians, who are not related and not in the same physician group practice, must certify that the individual is terminally ill.
###