The We Can't Wait Act allows people approved for Social Security disability insurance benefits to receive reduced payments during the mandatory 5-month waiting period that normally applies before benefits begin. Currently, eligible disabled individuals must wait five months with no payments; this bill lets them opt to start receiving 94.25 percent of their full benefit amount immediately, with that reduced amount locked in for life. The legislation applies to people who haven't yet reached early retirement age and gives them multiple windows to make this election—when applying, at decision time, or during the appeals process. The Social Security Administration must update application forms within 180 days and create a calculator to help people understand how choosing early benefits would affect their long-term payments. The bill includes an actuarial review every five years to ensure the program doesn't significantly drain the Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and requires the Chief Actuary to report to Congress if the cost becomes unsustainable, with recommendations for adjustments.
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