Eliminating the 5-month waiting period for disability benefits

(a) In general Section 223(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter following subparagraph (E), by striking (i) for each month and all that follows through under such disability, and inserting for each month beginning with the first month during all of which the individual is under a disability and in which the individual becomes entitled to such insurance benefits; and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking as though he had attained age 62 and all that follows through and as though and inserting as though he had attained age 62 in the first month for which he becomes entitled to such disability insurance benefits, and as though; and (B) by striking in or before the first month referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such sentence, as the case may be, and inserting in or before such month,. (b) Disabled surviving spouses Section 202 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402) is amended— (1) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (C)(ii)(III), by striking paragraph (8) and inserting paragraph (6); and (ii) by striking beginning with— and all that follows through and ending and inserting beginning with the first month in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits and ending; and (B) by striking paragraph (5) and redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and (2) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (C)(ii)(III), by striking paragraph (8) and inserting paragraph (6); and (ii) by striking beginning with— and all that follows through and ending and inserting beginning with the first month in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits and ending; and (B) by striking paragraph (5) and redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively. (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to any individual who becomes entitled to monthly insurance benefits in any case in which the period of disability during which the individual became so entitled begins in a month in calendar years 2027 through 2036. (d) Special rule for nonapplication before 2027 (1) Before 2027 In the case of any individual who would be in a waiting period (as defined in section 223(c)(2) of the Social Security Act) as of January 2027, the last month of such individual’s waiting period shall be deemed to be December 2026. (2) After 2036 In the case of an individual who would be in a waiting period (as so defined) as of January 2036 but for the amendments made by this section, such individual’s waiting period shall be deemed— (A) to begin with the month of January, 2037; and (B) to consist of a number of months equal to the difference of 5 minus the number of months in the applicable period of disability of the individual that elapsed during 2036.