Some New Bills of Interest

(1) The Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Benefits Double Dip Elimination Act

This is a House bill that would prevent the receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for any month during which someone was also eligible for unemployment benefits. It does so by characterizing someone receiving unemployment benefits as being engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA) and as having provided trial work period “services” during that month, therefore rendering that individual ineligible for SSDI benefits. A somewhat similar bill has been introduced in the Senate.

(2) The Disabled Military Child Protection Act

This is a combination of House and Senate bills that will provide military families the resources necessary to care for their children with special needs. The Act establishes a special-use trust fund into which a military retiree’s survivor benefits can transfer upon the retiree’s death. The family can then use these funds to secure long-term care arrangements for their disabled child.

(3) Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2013

This bill partially eliminates the mandatory 5-month waiting period that those who have been diagnosed – by two different doctors – as terminally ill must wait to begin receiving SSDI benefits. This bill allows terminally ill claimants to begin receiving benefits immediately, but at a graduated rate, as follows:

Month 1: 50% of monthly benefits
Month 2: 75% of monthly benefits
Months 3-12: full benefits
Year 2: full benefits minus a proportional share of the total benefits that would’ve been paid during the old 5-month waiting period
Subsequent years: 95% of monthly benefits