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S5428119th CongressWALLET

Stop the Wait Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

Introduced

Summary

Eliminates the SSDI waiting period over a phased schedule so people with disabilities get benefits and Medicare coverage sooner. This bill would shorten the current multi-month delay for Social Security Disability Insurance and align Medicare enrollment rules so health coverage begins earlier for many disabled beneficiaries.

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  • Disabled people and families: Would shorten the SSDI wait stepwise for applications filed during the phase-in and end the separate waiting period by January 1, 2031. The bill describes substituted waiting lengths for 2026 through 2030 before full effect in 2031.
  • Medicare-eligible individuals under 65: Would let entitlement and Part A enrollment be treated as beginning in the first month of disability entitlement rather than the 25th month. The bill creates special 24-month and initial enrollment rules to make Medicare start sooner for those affected.
  • Program administration and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries: Would update cross-references and enrollment mechanics in the Social Security Act and the Railroad Retirement Act so benefit and Medicare timing match the new SSDI rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster Medicare Part A for disabled

If enacted, the bill would add special Medicare rules so some people under age 65 who are entitled to SSDI could get Part A earlier. The 24-month/25th-month requirement would not block entitlement for these people, and Part A could be treated as retroactive to the first month of disability entitlement. The bill would also create a special Part A initial enrollment window: for people who had not had Part A for 24 months as of enactment, the window would start the first month after enactment and last seven months. Eligibility would be limited to under-65 individuals who meet the disability entitlement tests and a specific tax-code cross-reference described in the bill.

Stop the wait for disability benefits

If enacted, this bill would phase down and then eliminate the five-month SSDI waiting period so you would be treated as entitled starting the first month you qualify. The wait would drop to three months for applications filed in 2026–2028, two months for 2029, one month for 2030, and end entirely on January 1, 2031. The full restructured rule would apply to applications filed on or after January 1, 2030. For many successful applicants, this would mean earlier cash payments and earlier insured status for other programs like Medicare.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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