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A new bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate could significantly change how quickly Americans diagnosed with terminal illnesses or severe disabilities begin receiving their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Introduced by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the We Can’t Wait Act seeks to provide eligible individuals the option to receive SSDI benefits sooner — a meaningful reform for people facing immediate and urgent financial needs.
The Problem: A Waiting Period that Hurts
Under current Social Security law, even after the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines that someone is disabled and eligible for SSDI benefits, they must wait five months before receiving a single payment. This waiting period exists regardless of the severity of a claimant’s condition — even for individuals with terminal diagnoses or profound disabilities.
This delay can create devastating financial strain. Many people with serious health conditions incur mounting medical expenses and lose their ability to work, all while waiting for benefits they have already earned through years of payroll contributions.
What the We Can’t Wait Act Would Do
The We Can’t Wait Act would allow eligible SSDI applicants to bypass the current five-month waiting period and begin receiving benefits immediately after approval. In exchange for faster payments, beneficiaries would agree to a slightly reduced monthly benefit amount. Importantly, this option would be voluntary — individuals could still choose to wait the full five months and receive the standard benefit amount if that is in their best interest.
Key provisions of the proposed bill include:
- Optional Early Benefits: Eligible individuals with a qualifying disability or terminal illness could elect to receive SSDI payments immediately after approval, instead of waiting five months.
- Actuarial Balance Maintained: Any reduction in monthly benefits would be actuarially sound, preserving the long-term financial stability of the SSDI Trust Fund across its 75-year projection period.
- No Changes to Eligibility or the SSDI Process: The legislation does not alter how disability eligibility is determined, how benefits are calculated for those who do not opt in, or any other core elements of the SSDI program.
Why This Matters
For individuals with terminal diagnoses or debilitating conditions, waiting five months for critical financial support can mean the difference between covering basic living expenses or facing severe hardship. The bill’s supporters argue that people who have paid into the system deserve timely access to the insurance they earned — especially when they can least afford to wait.
Senators Hassan and Collins have described the bill as compassionate, fiscally responsible, and commonsense legislation that respects the financial integrity of the SSDI program while addressing a real hardship faced by disabled Americans.
What’s Next?
The We Can’t Wait Act has been introduced in the Senate and will now move through the legislative process. If passed, it could offer a new, meaningful option for SSDI claimants to access benefits when they need them most.
At Ortiz Law Firm, we will continue to monitor this legislation and provide updates on how it might impact people applying for disability benefits. If you have questions about SSDI eligibility, timing, or how changes in the law could affect your claim, our team is here to help guide you through every step of the process.
