Bill · H.R. 7104· House(119-HR-7104)
Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act
- Introduced
- 1/15/2026
- Last activity
- 1/15/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Diana Harshbarger
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act" aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding disability insurance. It allows individuals with specific incurable terminal illnesses on the Compassionate Allowance list to receive benefits without a waiting period. These individuals may elect to receive benefits starting with the first month they are under a disability. However, this election results in a reduction of the benefit amount to 93 percent of the standard amount. Additionally, the bill prohibits the concurrent receipt of disability insurance benefits and unemployment compensation. Finally, it adjusts how overpayments may be collected to avoid defeating the purpose of the Social Security title.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill allows terminally ill individuals with specific conditions to bypass the standard waiting period for disability benefits.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill accelerates access to disability insurance for those with certain incurable terminal conditions.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
The bill provides quicker financial relief for disabled individuals facing terminal illnesses.
The opposite
Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs?-5
The bill prohibits individuals from receiving both disability insurance and unemployment compensation simultaneously.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Immediate Access to Benefits: Disabled individuals diagnosed with a medical condition or disease included on the Compassionate Allowance list that has no known cure and a life expectancy not exceeding 5 years can elect to receive benefits beginning with the first month of their disability, bypassing the standard waiting period. (Section 2)
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Protection Against Total Overpayment Reduction: The Commissioner of Social Security may decrease a payment by a smaller amount rather than 100 percent if the Commissioner determines that a full reduction would defeat the purpose of the Social been title. (Section 5)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduced Benefit Amount: Individuals who elect to receive their disability insurance benefits without the waiting period will receive a monthly benefit that is only 93 percent of the amount otherwise determined. (Section 2)
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Irrevocable Election: Once an individual makes the election to receive benefits without the waiting period at the time they file their application, that decision cannot be changed. (Section 2)
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Prohibition of Concurrent Benefits: If an individual is entitled to both disability insurance benefits and unemployment compensation, their total disability insurance benefits for that month will be reduced to zero. (Section 4)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Young Adults+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Unemployment Benefits-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+4
- 1/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Introduced in House
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.