Summary

Provides retroactive entitlement to Social Security Title II (retirement/disability) and Title XVI (SSI) monthly benefits for people who failed to apply because of an "undue hardship" that occurred between January 20, 2025 and January 19, 2029, and directs the Social Security Administration to identify affected individuals and accept notifications. It also modifies the disability insurance waiting‑period calculation for affected claims, forbids counting benefits paid under this law when determining eligibility or benefit amounts for other federally funded programs, and requires a GAO report describing SSA actions between those dates, their effects, and recommendations to repair any damage.

Key Points

• Creates entitlement to Title II and Title XVI monthly benefits for people who failed to apply due to an "undue hardship" between Jan 20, 2025 and Jan 19, 2029.
• Deems an affected person to have applied on the later of the hardship date or the date they met entitlement requirements.
• Requires SSA to identify affected individuals and set up a notification program no later than 180 days after Jan 20, 2029.
• Defines a list of operational, staffing, technical, administrative, and misinformation causes as qualifying "undue hardship," and allows SSA discretion to add others.
• Provides a limited modification of the disability insurance waiting‑period calculation for disability periods beginning in the covered window.
• Bars counting benefits paid under this law when determining need, eligibility, or benefit amounts under any federal, state, or local program financed with federal funds.
• Directs GAO to report on SSA actions between Jan 20, 2025 and Jan 20, 2029, analyze effects, and recommend repairs, due within 180 days after enactment or by July 30, 2029.
• Does not appropriate funds or change tax law; it creates entitlements and administrative duties for SSA and oversight by GAO.
• May increase SSA administrative workload and lead to retroactive payments and potential disputes over hardship determinations.

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