After the Social Security Administration determines an applicant is eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, there is a mandatory five-month wait to receive the first benefit payment. This is on top of an approval process that lasts nearly 18 months for most SSDI applicants. This delay prevents individuals from having access to financial support that is often desperately needed.  

Thousands of people die every year while waiting for a decision on their SSDI benefits. Thousands also are forced to file bankruptcy while waiting for a decision on their SSDI application. The additional waiting period to receive the benefit payment harms disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PVA Position:

Congress must pass S. 3924, the We Can’t Wait Act, which would allow SSDI applicants to elect to receive their SSDI benefits during the usual 5-month exclusion period in exchange for a small reduction in their monthly benefit.