To amend title II of the Social Security Act to permit disabled individuals to elect to receive disability insurance benefits during the disability insurance benefit waiting period, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · December 5, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The We Can't Wait Act of 2023 allows people with disabilities to receive Social Security disability insurance benefits during the standard five-month waiting period that normally applies when a claim is first approved. Currently, disabled workers must wait five months before receiving any benefits, but this bill gives them the option to start receiving payments immediately at a reduced rate of 96 percent of their full benefit amount, with that reduced amount locked in permanently. The election can be made when applying for benefits or during appeals, and individuals can change their mind during designated windows. The Social Security Administration must evaluate the fiscal impact every five years and adjust the benefit percentage as needed to keep the program actuarially neutral, ensuring the change doesn't drain the disability trust fund. The bill becomes effective 180 days after enactment, and the Social Security Administration must update disability application forms within that same timeframe to include the new option.
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