A bipartisan effort in Congress is seeking to change how Social Security Disability Insurance payments begin for eligible recipients. The We Can’t Wait Act of 2026 would allow some approved SSDI beneficiaries to receive payments during the five-month waiting period required under current law.
The proposal would not change who qualifies for disability benefits or how the Social Security Administration determines eligibility. Instead, it would create an option for approved applicants to receive money sooner in exchange for a permanent reduction in their monthly benefit amount.
Bill Would Give SSDI Recipients an Option to Receive Earlier Payments
Under current rules, workers approved for SSDI generally must wait five months after becoming eligible before monthly payments begin. During this period, many people who have stopped working because of a disability may face medical expenses, housing costs and other financial pressures without receiving disability income.
The We Can’t Wait Act was introduced in the House by Representative Carol Miller, a Republican from West Virginia, following a Senate version introduced by Senators Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, and Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire.
According to the Government Accountability Office report cited by the bill’s sponsors, about 48,000 people filed for bankruptcy while waiting for disability appeal decisions between fiscal years 2014 and 2019. The same report estimated that 109,725 people died before receiving a final decision on disability appeals between fiscal years 2008 and 2019.
The legislation would allow qualifying SSDI applicants who have not reached early retirement age to choose whether to receive payments during the waiting period. Those who select the early payment option would receive a lower monthly benefit for the entire time they remain eligible for SSDI.
The reduced payment would be calculated through a formula designed to keep the Disability Insurance Trust Fund financially neutral over the long term. The Social Security Administration’s Chief Actuary would determine the percentage used for the reduction and review it periodically.
Supporters Highlight Faster Assistance While Critics Raise Concerns About Long-Term Effects
Supporters of the bill argue that people who have already been approved for disability benefits should not have to wait several months before receiving financial assistance. Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek that the option could provide needed income immediately after approval, particularly for people with serious or terminal illnesses.
The bill’s sponsors describe the change as a voluntary choice rather than an expansion of SSDI eligibility. Applicants who prefer to receive the full monthly benefit could continue under the current system and wait five months before payments begin.
Financial experts have also pointed to possible challenges. According to Michael Ryan, founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, the proposal would represent a tradeoff between receiving income earlier and accepting smaller payments in the future. For people who remain on disability for many years, the lower monthly amount could lead to reduced total benefits over time.
Some fiscal critics have raised concerns that people facing immediate financial difficulties may feel pressured to choose the reduced benefit option without fully understanding the long-term impact. The legislation would require the Social Security Administration to provide information and tools to help applicants evaluate the decision.
The Senate version of the bill is currently with the Senate Finance Committee, while the House version has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Both chambers would need to approve identical versions before the measure could reach the president.
