John Barrasso (R-WY)
Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
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
This bill, known as the "Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2026," aims to provide phased-in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments for people with terminal illnesses. It changes the Social Security Act to allow individuals to be determined disabled upon the submission of a terminal illness diagnosis certified by two unrelated physicians. The payment structure begins with 50 percent of the benefit amount for the first month and 75 percent for the second month. Following these initial months, the payment amount is adjusted based on a formula involving the total benefits received over the first five months. After 24 consecutive months, the benefit reaches 95 percent of the determined amount. These changes are intended to apply to benefits payable after December 31, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill creates a new, expedited path to receive disability benefits based on a terminal illness diagnosis.
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen Social Security?
The bill accelerates access to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for individuals with a terminal illness diagnosis.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides faster access to disability income for those who may not have other financial safety nets.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill implements a phased-in payment structure that provides less than the full benefit amount during the initial months of disability.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Phased-in Benefit Payments: Individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness can receive disability insurance benefits through a graduated payment schedule rather than waiting for standard processing. For the first month, the individual receives 50 percent of the determined benefit amount, and for the second month, they receive 75 percent (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph C).
-
Expedited Disability Determination: A person can be determined to be under a disability upon the submission of a diagnosis of a terminal illness. This diagnosis must be certified by at least two physicians who are not related and are not in the same physician group practice (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 2, subparagraph D).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Partial Benefit Amounts: Individuals will not receive their full determined benefit amount immediately upon starting the phased-in period. The first month only provides 50 percent of the benefit, and the second month provides 75 percent (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph C).
-
Reduced Long-Term Payments: Even after 24 consecutive months of receiving benefits, the individual's monthly benefit is set at 95 percent of the determined amount rather than the full amount (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph C).
-
Complex Calculation for Mid-term Benefits: For those who have been entitled to benefits for 12 consecutive months, the benefit for the subsequent 12 months is determined by a specific calculation that subtracts a quotient from the determined benefit amount (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph B).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill creates a new, expedited path to receive disability benefits based on a terminal illness diagnosis. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides faster access to disability income for those who may not have other financial safety nets. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides expedited financial support for those facing terminal illness which may overlap with senior years.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill accelerates access to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for individuals with a terminal illness diagnosis. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing faster access to disability benefits can help mitigate the financial strain of a terminal illness.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports from the Social Security Administration to Congress regarding the provision of these benefits.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill implements a phased-in payment structure that provides less than the full benefit amount during the initial months of disability.
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island