S. 578Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)Enacted

ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019

Introduced February 27, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 2:32 AM UTC

The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019 changes the Social Security Act so that people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) no longer have to wait five months before receiving disability insurance benefits. The amendment makes benefits payable from the first month the person is disabled, instead of after a waiting period. It applies to any new SSDI applications filed after the law takes effect, affecting individuals with ALS who seek Social Security disability benefits.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 223(a)(1) of the Social Security Act to add a provision that, for individuals medically determined to have ALS, benefits begin with the first month of disability, eliminating the standard five‑month waiting period.
  • The change applies to all SSDI applications filed after the enactment date of the Act.

Legislative Activity

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17 earlier actions
Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 116-250.

December 22, 2020

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 27, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

February 27, 2019

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7157, S7163-7164)

December 2, 2020

SenateDischarge

Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7157, S7163-7164)

December 2, 2020

SenateFloor

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

December 2, 2020

SenateFloor

Passed Senate, under the order of 12/01/20, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 96 - 1. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S7164)

December 2, 2020

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 3, 2020

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

December 3, 2020 • 3:03 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

December 3, 2020 • 3:18 PM

HouseFloor

Mr. Larson (CT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

December 8, 2020 • 2:59 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6988-6991)

December 8, 2020 • 2:59 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 578.

December 8, 2020 • 2:59 PM

SenateFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

December 8, 2020 • 3:27 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6988)

December 8, 2020 • 3:27 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

December 8, 2020 • 3:27 PM

President

Presented to President.

December 11, 2020

Became Law

Signed by President.

December 22, 2020

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 116-250.

December 22, 2020

Bill Text

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One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of America

2d Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty

S. 578

AN ACT

To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits under such title for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019.

2.

Elimination of waiting period for social security disability insurance benefits for disabled individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

(a)

In general

Section 223(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423(a)(1)) is amended in the matter following subparagraph (E) by striking or (ii) and inserting (ii) in the case of an individual who has been medically determined to have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, for each month beginning with the first month during all of which the individual is under a disability and in which the individual becomes entitled to such insurance benefits, or (iii).

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits filed after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate