A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "We Can't Wait Act of 2026" aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding disability insurance benefits. It allows certain disabled individuals to elect to receive benefits during their mandatory waiting period. The bill establishes specific timeframes for making or revoking these elections during the application or reconsideration process. It also sets a specific percentage for the benefit amount during this period. Additionally, the bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide public information and calculators to help individuals understand the impact of their election.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill directly enhances the financial security of disabled individuals by allowing early benefit access.
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill expands access to benefits by allowing elections during the waiting period.
- Scored +5
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill increases autonomy and provides earlier access to income for disabled individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Earlier access to funds: Individuals who have not yet reached early retirement age may elect to receive disability insurance benefits during their waiting period instead of waiting for the standard period to end. (Section 2(a)(3)(A))
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Benefit stability: For those who make the election, the disability insurance benefit is intended to continue unchanged for the entire period of eligibility without the effect of recalculations. (Section s 2(a)(3)(B)(ii))
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Inclusion of past-due benefits: If applicable, the chosen benefit can be paid as part of a claim for past-due benefits and included in the total dollar amount. (Section 2(a)(3)(B)(iii))
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Information accessibility: The Commissioner is required to post information on a website, including a calculator, so individuals can determine how electing to receive benefits during the waiting period will affect their specific amount. (Section 2(a)(3)(F))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced benefit amount: Individuals electing to receive benefits during the waiting period will receive a specific percentage of their determined benefit amount rather than the full amount; this percentage is initially set at 94.25 percent. (Section 2(a)(3)(B)(C)(i))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill expands access to benefits by allowing elections during the waiting period. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill increases autonomy and provides earlier access to income for disabled individuals. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing earlier access to benefits can provide financial relief to low-income disabled households.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill directly enhances the financial security of disabled individuals by allowing early benefit access. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Earlier access to benefits can help low-income disabled individuals manage immediate financial needs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides specific procedural timelines for electing or revoking benefit status. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates public information and a calculator to assist with benefit elections.
- 2/25/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire