Revising SSDI Disability Classifications Act

J. French Hill

Republican · AR · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Austin Scott (R-GA-8)Original· 2026-09-17

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

2026-09-17

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-09-17. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10496 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10496 To provide temporary reauthorization of demonstration authority and to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out a demonstration project related to individuals who receive disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 17, 2026 Mr. Hill of Arkansas (for himself and Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To provide temporary reauthorization of demonstration authority and to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out a demonstration project related to individuals who receive disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Revising SSDI Disability Classifications Act''. SEC. 2. TEMPORARY REAUTHORIZATION OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AUTHORITY. Section 234 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 434) is amended-- (1) in subsection (c), by striking ``December 30, 2021'' and inserting ``December 31, 2036''; and (2) in subsection (d)(2)-- (A) by striking ``December 31, 2021'' and inserting ``December 31, 2036''; and (B) by striking ``December 31, 2022'' and inserting ``December 31, 2037''. SEC. 3. DISABILITY CLASSIFICATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. Section 234 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 434) is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) Revising Disability Classifications Demonstration Project.-- ``(1) In general.--The Commissioner shall carry out a demonstration project as described in paragraph (2) for the 10- year period beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection. ``(2) Demonstration project.-- ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the demonstration project, the Commissioner shall, with respect to an individual participating in the demonstration project and in lieu of carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 221, carry out the following: ``(i) Establish a system to classify individuals who are determined to be entitled to a disability insurance benefit under this title or monthly benefits under section 202 by reason of being under a disability into the following categories: ``(I) The individual has an impairment or combination of impairments that is chronic or progressive with permanent, irreversible structural or functional loss, and for which there is no known effective therapy, treatment, or surgical intervention that could result in medical improvement to the point where the individual is no longer disabled. ``(II) The individual has an impairment or combination of impairments causing the individual to be disabled and the individual is not expected to medically improve to the point where the individual will no longer be disabled in 60 months, but future improvement is possible. ``(III) The individual has an impairment or combination of impairments causing the individual to be disabled and the individual is expected to medically improve to the point where the individual will no longer be disabled in 25 months to 60 months. ``(IV) The individual has an impairment or combination of impairments causing the individual to be disabled and the individual is expected to medically improve to the point where the individual will no longer be disabled in 12 to 24 months. ``(ii) With respect to an individual described in clause (i), the applicable State agency or the Commissioner of Social Security (as may be appropriate) shall, for the purposes of determining continuing eligibility-- ``(I) in the case of an individual who is classified under clause…

(i)(I), conduct a review to determine whether the individual remains under a disability during the 7th or 8th year following the first month after the date the individual was so classified; ``(II) in the case of an individual who is classified under clause (i)(II), conduct a review to determine whether the individual remains under a disability during the 4th or 5th year following the first month after the date the individual was so classified; ``(III) in the case of an individual who is classified under clause (i)(III), conduct a review to determine whether the individual remains under a disability during the 2nd or 3rd year following the first month after the date the individual was so classified; and ``(IV) in the case of an individual who is classified under clause (i)(IV), conduct a review to determine whether the individual remains under a disability during the 2nd year following the first month after the date the individual was so classified. ``(B) Limitations.-- ``(i) Age.--In classifying individuals under paragraph (2)(A)(i), the Commissioner may not classify an individual under paragraph (2)(A)(i)(I) solely by reason of the individual's age where a lesser classification is appropriate. ``(ii) Appeal.-- ``(I) In general.--Except as provided in subclause (II), and notwithstanding section 205(b)(1) or subsection (c)(1) or (d) of section 221(i), there shall be no review of, or right to appeal, a classification made under the system described in paragraph (2)(A)(i). ``(II) Factual error.--An individual may request administrative reconsideration of such a classification solely for the purpose of correcting a factual error, such as a clerical or administrative error. ``(C) Participation.--The Commissioner may implement procedures to ensure sufficient participation to produce statistically valid results, including randomized selection with the opportunity to decline participation. ``(D) Categories.--In classifying individuals under subparagraph (A)(i), the Commissioner shall establish terms to refer to each category under such subparagraph. ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the demonstration project is to evaluate whether revised disability classification categories and continuing disability review schedules improve program integrity, administrative efficiency, and labor force participation among beneficiaries. ``(4) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of enactment of this subsection, and for each of the four 2-year periods thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to Congress a report that evaluates the outcomes of the demonstration project, including-- ``(A) effects on program integrity, including the effect on the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund; ``(B) the average length of time an individual who is participating in the demonstration project under this subsection has received a disability insurance benefit under this title or monthly benefits under section 202 by reason of being under a disability; ``(C) the average length of time all other individuals who receive a disability insurance benefit under this title or monthly benefits under section 202 by reason of being under a disability have received such benefits; ``(D) employment outcomes of individuals who participated in the demonstration project under this subsection; and ``(E) administrative efficiency.''. <all>

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