1. Repeal of 7-Year restriction on eligibility for widow’s and widower’s insurance benefits based on disability
Widow’s insurance benefits—
in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking “which began before the end of the period specified in paragraph (4)”;
in paragraph (1)(F)(ii), by striking “(I) in the period specified in paragraph (4) and (II)”;
by striking paragraph (4) and by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively; and
in paragraph (4)(A)(ii) (as redesignated), by striking “whichever” and all that follows through “begins” and inserting “the first day of the seventeenth month before the month in which her application is filed”.
Conforming amendments—
Section 202(e)(1)(F)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(e)(1)(F)(i)) is amended by striking “paragraph (5)” and inserting “paragraph (4)”.
Section 202(e)(1)(C)(ii)(III) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(e)(2)(C)(ii)(III)) is amended by striking “paragraph (8)” and inserting “paragraph (6)”.
Section 226(e)(1)(A)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 426(e)(1)(A)(i)) is amended by striking “202(e)(4),”.
Widower’s insurance benefits—
in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking “which began before the end of the period specified in paragraph (4)”;
in paragraph (1)(F)(ii), by striking “(I) in the period specified in paragraph (4) and (II)”;
by striking paragraph (4) and by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively; and
in paragraph (4)(A)(ii) (as redesignated), by striking “whichever” and all that follows through “begins” and inserting “the first day of the seventeenth month before the month in which his application is filed”.
Conforming amendments—
Section 202(f)(1)(F)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f)(1)(F)(i)) is amended by striking “paragraph (5)” and inserting “paragraph (4)”.
Section 202(f)(1)(C)(ii)(III) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f)(2)(C)(ii)(III)) is amended by striking “paragraph (8)” and inserting “paragraph (6)”.
Section 226(e)(1)(A)(i) of such Act (as amended by subsection (a)(2)) is further amended by striking “202(f)(1)(B)(ii), and 202(f)(4)” and inserting “and 202(f)(1)(B)(ii)”.
Effective date— The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to benefits for months after December 2019 for which applications are filed or pending on or after January 1, 2020.