Updated: Lujan Grisham Introduces Jeremy Sanchez Social Security Disability Insurance Reform Act

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) has introduced legislation to expedite the receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for terminally ill and economically disadvantaged individuals after an Albuquerque native was unable to quickly receive his benefits.

SSDI provides benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to a long-term injury or illness that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. However, after approval, recipients are required to wait a mandatory 5 months after disability-onset to receive benefits.

Jeremy Sanchez, a native of Albuquerque, was diagnosed with terminal leukemia and was quickly approved for SSDI benefits. Even though Mr. Sanchez is completely disabled and currently undergoing rigorous treatment for leukemia, he is still required to wait 5 months before receiving any of his benefits.

The bill -- the Jeremy Sanchez Social Security Disability Insurance Reform Act (H.R. 4893) -- would waive the 5 month waiting period for SSDI benefits for individuals who have 12 months or less to live.

"The mandatory waiting period for disability benefits restricts those who need their benefits the most from receiving them when they are most needed," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "Jeremy Sanchez is an incredibly brave and selfless person, who has done everything right in his life, yet arbitrary bureaucratic roadblocks are preventing him from receiving the disability insurance benefits that he needs. My bill would remove this harmful barrier for individuals like Jeremy who are facing terminal illness or serious economic disadvantage."

Rep. Lujan Grisham's bill would also provide the Social Security Commissioner with the discretion to waive the 5 month waiting period for individuals who would experience "undue harm" if they had to wait for benefits. The Social Security Administration generally interprets "undue harm" as an inability to obtain food or shelter.

"I am not the first person to ever go through what I am going through, and I will surely not be the last," Jeremy Sanchez said. "My hope is that Congress will choose to support other terminally ill individuals like myself, pass this bill, and ensure that people receive their disability insurance benefits when they truly need it. I'm truly humbled to have my name on this bill and potentially help thousands of Americans with terminal illness."

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