Sen. Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Introducing Bill to Expedite Social Security Benefits for Terminally Ill

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined a bipartisan group of eight Senators in introducing legislation to expedite the payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to individuals with terminal illnesses by eliminating the five-month waiting period.

"Americans who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness should be spending their time with their loved ones, not struggling to pay their bills," said Senator Collins. "Our bipartisan bill takes a compassionate approach by allowing terminally ill patients to receive SSDI benefits more quickly while preserving the Disability Insurance Trust Fund."

In addition to Senator Collins, the bill is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jack Reed (D-RI).

Background:

The Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act, (S. 2262) expedites the payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to individuals who will not live long enough to receive any benefits under the five-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:

- First month: 50 percent of monthly benefits.

- Second month: 75 percent of monthly benefits.

- Third-twelfth months: 100 percent of monthly benefits.

- Year Two: 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 Three and beyond: The benefit amount for each month is 95 percent of the regular benefit.

How to Qualify for Expedited Payments:

The bill eliminates the five-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 six months or less. To prevent fraud and abuse, at least two physicians, who are unrelated and not in the same physician group practice, must certify that the individual is terminally ill.

Additional Requirements:

The bill requires a yearly report from the commissioner and the inspector general of the Social Security Administration on the number of people applying for and receiving the expedited SSDI benefits, as well as the costs of administering it. After four years, the bill requires a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluating the changes to the SSDI program and providing recommendations on ways to improve upon it. The bill will sunset after five years, on January 1, 2025.