Bill · S. 3648· Senate(119-S-3648)
Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act
- Introduced
- 1/15/2026
- Last activity
- 1/15/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- 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 certain incurable terminal illnesses on the Compassionate Allowance list to receive benefits without a waiting period. However, those who choose this option will receive a reduced benefit amount. The bill also prohibits individuals from receiving both disability insurance benefits and unemployment compensation at the same time. Additionally, the Act requires Congressional approval for adding new conditions to the Compassionate Allowance list. Finally, it adjusts how overpayments can be collected for certain Social Security benefits.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill allows terminally ill individuals to access disability benefits without a waiting period.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill enables terminally ill individuals to receive disability insurance benefits without the standard waiting period.
Does this strengthen Social Security?+4
The bill provides a mechanism for terminally ill individuals to receive benefits more quickly.
The opposite
Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs?-5
The bill prohibits receiving both disability insurance benefits and unemployment compensation simultaneously.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Immediate Benefit Access: Disabled individuals diagnosed with specific medical conditions or diseases—specifically those on the Compassionate Allowance list with no known cure and a life expectancy not exceeding 5 years—can elect to receive benefits starting with the first month they are under a disability (Section 2, subsection (k)(1)).
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Protection Against Total Income Loss: The Commissioner of Social Security may decrease a payment by a smaller amount rather than 100 percent if reducing it by the full amount would defeat the purpose of the Social-Security Act (Section 5, subsection (a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Benefit Amounts: Individuals who elect to receive their disability insurance benefits without a waiting period will receive a monthly benefit equal to only 93 percent of the amount otherwise determined (Section 2, subsection (k)(3)).
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Irrevocable Decisions: Once an individual makes the election to receive benefits without a waiting period, that decision cannot be changed (Section 2, subsection (k)(4)).
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Loss of Benefits Due to Concurrent Payments: If an individual is receiving disability insurance benefits and is also entitled to unemployment compensation, their total benefits under certain sections of the Social Security Act will be reduced to zero for that month (Section 4, subsection (a)).
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+3Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+4
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+2Increases Unemployment Benefits-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 1/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 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.