Reed, Larson Introduce Bill to Allow Adults with Life-Long Disabilities to Work without Worry

Press Release

Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT), Ranking Member Tom Reed (R-NY), and 13 original bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Work Without Worry Act. The Work Without Worry Act will ensure that young adults with disabilities won't have to fear that trying to work may jeopardize their future financial security. A companion bill is being introduced in the Senate by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

"I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill today with Ranking Member Reed. Any young adult with a life-long disability should be able to pursue work without having to worry about losing future Social Security benefits. The Work Without Worry Act will fix this flaw in the current law to make sure that doesn't happen," said Larson.

"We should reward work not penalize it. The Work Without Worry Act gives young people the peace of mind that they can always count on Social Security and doesn't stop them from pursuing their dreams," said Reed.

If an adult has a severe medical condition that began before age 22, they may be eligible for a Social Security benefit called the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit. Adults who qualify for Social Security DAC benefits have life-long disabilities (such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disability) and often wish to explore their ability to work, particularly as they transition to adult life. However, under current law some of these young adults fear that if they try to work they will lose future DAC benefits, which are modest and often vital.

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