Sponsor
Jefferson Van Drew
Representative · R-NJ
Representative · R-NJ
The bill creates a formal compensation program and protections (tax and means-tested exclusions) to provide targeted financial relief and oversight for a small group of thalidomide survivors, while imposing federal costs, narrow eligibility limits, deadlines, and funding/administrative uncertainties.
Thalidomide survivors who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents can receive a one-time $150,000 payment when the expert panel finds exposure caused their injury, providing direct financial relief.
Recipients' compensation will not count against eligibility for means‑tested programs (SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, etc.), protecting low-income survivors from losing benefits when they receive payments.
Compensation is excluded from taxable income and filing requirements are simplified for recipients, increasing their net benefit and reducing tax-reporting burden.
The program and payments (including additional payments and the tax exclusion) will increase federal spending and reduce tax receipts, imposing costs on taxpayers.
Eligibility is narrowly limited to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents at the time of exposure and at submission, excluding some survivors (including non‑LPR immigrants) from compensation.
Claims must be filed by May 31, 2034, so survivors who miss the deadline will be permanently barred from compensation.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Establishes an HHS compensation program paying $150,000 to eligible U.S. thalidomide survivors, excludes payments from taxable income and means-tested benefit calculations.
Official title: To establish the Thalidomide Survivors Compensation Program, and for other purposes.
Introduced October 28, 2025 by Jefferson Van Drew · Last progress October 28, 2025
Creates a federal Thalidomide Survivors Compensation Program at the Department of Health and Human Services to pay $150,000 to each eligible U.S. individual injured by in utero exposure to thalidomide. The bill requires an expert panel to review petitions, limits petitions to one per individual and to those filed by May 31, 2034, and directs HHS to exclude payments from means-tested benefit calculations. Also authorizes HHS to receive and certify appropriations through 2034 to operate the program and to make additional supplemental payments if needed; requires annual program reviews and reports to Congress; and adds an income-tax exclusion for amounts received under the program so payments are not taxed.