Social security benefits-terminal illness situations.

WORKING DRAFT
2013
STATE OF
WYOMING
13LSO-0355

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.
HJ0002

Social security benefits-terminal illness situations.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Burkhart and Senator(s) Hicks

A Bill

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to
change the eligibility requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income benefits for individuals with a terminal illness.

WHEREAS,

workers in our country pay into the Social Security system.
While primarily a program to help older Americans in retirement, Social Security is also a fundamental element of our country's safety net through Social Security Disability Insurance
.
The federal government also provides additional help through the Supplementary Security Income program, which is paid for by general revenues and is not tied to work history. These programs are both administered by the Social Security Administration; and

WHEREAS
, Social Security Disability Insurance is aimed at helping people who are unable to work due to severe, permanent disabilities. Eligibility for this program includes a five
(5)
month waiting period. There is no waiting period to receive Supplementary Security Income benefits, which provide additional support to low-in
come people who are aged, blind
or disabled; and

WHEREAS
,
p
eople suffering from terminal illnesses who seek benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance currently are subject to the five
(5)
month waiting period. This delay applies even when the person is not expected to live that long. Since a person with such a diagnosis may not immediately qualify under the Social Security
Income
program, this presents a serious problem for these individuals. To compound the suffering of these individuals by delaying assistance is wrong. This problem could be solved through the creation of a waiver of the five
(5)
month delay for individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness or through changes to the Social Security
Income
program or both;
and

WHEREAS
, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplementary Security Income
benefits
are in place to
provide a modicum of assistance to those facing severe hardships. Clearly, anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness that includes a prognosis of only a few months to live should be able to obtain this assistance. With proper procedures for review and a requirement for a concurring diagnosis, such a change to the eligibility requirements should be implemented
.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

Congress
should
change the eligibility requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplementary Security Income benefits for individuals who have been diagnosed by a physician as terminally ill when the diagnosis has been confirmed by another qualified physician and includes an estimation that the illness will result in death within six
(6)
months of the diagnosis
.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.

(END)

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HJ0002