Bill Overview
Title: Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022
Description: This bill temporarily allows an individual diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less to receive Social Security disability benefits during the waiting period for such benefits (which typically lasts five months). It also establishes a phased-in payment schedule for the benefits.
Sponsors: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with terminal illness eligible for SSDI
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill targets individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Among terminally ill individuals, only those with a life expectancy of six months or less are directly affected.
- The bill applies to individuals who are eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
- Social Security disability insurance is primarily a U.S. program; therefore, the affected population will be mostly or entirely within the United States.
Reasoning
- The policy targets individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness and with a life expectancy of six months or less. Therefore, only a small subset of the population benefits directly.
- The policy's impact is mostly on financial security which may translate into improved wellbeing for affected individuals.
- Considering the budget limits and estimated medical costs, the policy will likely not affect a large number of people but can significantly impact those it does.
- The distribution of impact will vary based on the individual's financial status, healthcare access, and remaining family obligations.
Simulated Interviews
unemployed (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am grateful for any financial assistance that can help me manage my medical bills and support my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
retired engineer (California)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy would relieve financial pressure, allowing me to focus on spending quality time with my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
freelance artist (New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would be a lifeline, giving me peace of mind in the last months of my life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
construction worker (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy isn't for me, but for folks who are just finding out and could really use the support sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
retired teacher (Ohio)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might add some comfort, but my needs are minimal at this stage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
grocery store clerk (Illinois)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would allow me to ensure my children's future is a bit secure, which has been my biggest worry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
software developer (New Jersey)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Financial security offered by this policy will allow me to focus on the limited time I have left with my loved ones.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
restaurant manager (Kentucky)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Receiving aid sooner means I can settle things without burdening my parents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
fisherman (Washington)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy covers me, the financial hardship would be easier to bear in my final months.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
homemaker (Georgia)
Age: 58 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could provide hope and essential support during these challenging times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 20 | 0 | 0 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $160000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $210000000)
Year 3: $170000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $220000000)
Year 5: $190000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $240000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 100: $210000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $260000000)
Key Considerations
- The extent of expedited payments and their impact depends on the number of diagnosed terminally ill cases with less than six months to live.
- The phased-in payment schedule could influence both costs and uptake by eligible individuals.
- Estimation of administrative burden on SSA to process these expedited claims efficiently to avoid long backlogs.