Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act

This bill would allow Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries with certain terminal illnesses to receive benefits immediately rather than waiting the standard five months, provided they accept a 7% reduction in their monthly payments. To qualify, an individual must have a condition on a Social Security Administration list that is incurable, involves a life expectancy of five years or less, and is approved by Congress. Additionally, the bill would prohibit individuals from receiving SSDI and unemployment benefits at the same time and would allow the government to collect as little as 10% of a beneficiary's monthly payment to recover overpaid funds.

This bill affects Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries diagnosed with specific terminal illnesses that have no known cure and a life expectancy of five years or less. It also impacts individuals who are simultaneously receiving unemployment benefits and SSDI, as well as Social Security beneficiaries who have received overpayments. Additionally, the Social Security Administration is required to establish and maintain the list of qualifying medical conditions subject to congressional approval.

• Expedited Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. Allows beneficiaries with certain terminal illnesses to begin receiving disability payments the month after their disability begins, bypassing the standard five-month waiting period.
• Establishment of qualifying terminal medical conditions. Directs the Social Security Administration to create and update every five years a list of incurable conditions with a life expectancy of five years or less that qualify for expedited payment, subject to congressional approval.
• Benefit reduction for expedited payment election. Requires individuals who choose to receive expedited SSDI benefits to accept a 7% reduction in their monthly benefit amount.
• Prohibition on concurrent unemployment and disability benefits. Prevents individuals from receiving unemployment compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits at the same time.
• Adjustment of overpayment collection rates. Authorizes the Social Security Administration to collect less than 100% of a beneficiary's monthly payment to recover overpayments, provided the collection amount is at least 10% of the monthly benefit.

The bill allows qualifying individuals to elect to receive benefits beginning the month after the onset of disability, and it requires the Social Security Administration to update the list of qualifying medical conditions every five years.

This bill modifies the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program by allowing beneficiaries with certain terminal illnesses to bypass the standard five-month waiting period for benefits in exchange for a permanent reduction in monthly payments. It also amends existing rules to prohibit the simultaneous receipt of unemployment benefits and SSDI, and adjusts the Social Security Administration's authority regarding the collection of overpaid benefits.

The bill aims to provide Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries with specified terminal illnesses the option to receive expedited benefit payments by waiving the standard five-month waiting period in exchange for a permanent reduction in their monthly benefit amount. Additionally, the bill seeks to prevent the simultaneous receipt of unemployment and disability benefits and adjusts the Social Security Administration's authority regarding the collection of overpaid benefits.