S.466 - Fairness for Disabled Young Adults Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Fairness for Disabled Young Adults Act (S.466) aims to amend Title II of the Social Security Act, increasing the age threshold for eligibility for child's insurance benefits based on disability from age 22 to age 26. This bill was introduced in the Senate by Mr. Cassidy and Ms. Hassan and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The proposed change would affect multiple sections of the Social Security Act, specifically sections 202(d), 205(j)(2)(C)(vi)(II)(cc), 225(a), 1631(a)(2)(B)(xvii)(II)(cc), and 1634(c), by replacing "age of 22" with "age of 26" in each instance. The bill seeks to provide continued support to disabled young adults who may still be dependent on their parents or guardians beyond the age of 22.
The short title of the act is the "Fairness for Disabled Young Adults Act."
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to extend child's insurance benefits under the Social Security Act to disabled young adults up to the age of 26, rather than cutting off benefits at age 22. This would provide continued financial support to this vulnerable population.
This change would likely increase the number of individuals eligible for these benefits, potentially impacting the Social Security Administration's budget and workload. The conforming amendments ensure consistency across different sections of the Social Security Act related to child's insurance benefits.
Potential Benefits
- Extended Support: Provides continued financial assistance to disabled young adults, potentially improving their quality of life.
- Reduced Burden on Families: Eases the financial strain on families who continue to support their disabled children beyond age 22.
- Improved Access to Services: May enable more disabled young adults to access necessary healthcare and support services.
- Increased Financial Stability: Offers a more stable financial foundation for disabled young adults as they transition into adulthood.
- Promotes Independence: By providing financial support, it can foster greater independence and self-sufficiency among disabled young adults.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Costs: Expanding eligibility could increase the financial burden on the Social Security system.
- Potential for Abuse: There might be a risk of individuals attempting to exploit the system to receive benefits fraudulently.
- Administrative Complexity: Implementing the change could create additional administrative challenges for the Social Security Administration.
- Dependency Concerns: Some may argue that extending benefits could disincentivize disabled young adults from seeking employment or self-sufficiency.
- Unintended Consequences: There could be unforeseen impacts on other related programs or services.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the US Constitution, as it aims to provide support to a vulnerable segment of the population. The Constitution's preamble states the goal to "promote the general Welfare." This bill can be viewed as an attempt to fulfill that objective by supporting disabled young adults.
Congress has the power to enact laws related to Social Security under Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The Social Security Act itself is based on this constitutional authority.
There do not appear to be any direct conflicts with specific constitutional provisions or amendments. The bill does not infringe on individual liberties, rights, or privacy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).