Approximately one out of six Americans have a disability. That is 29.5 million people who are unable to make an income for themselves. These people are a lot more likely to face financial turmoil than anyone else in America. Even though a disability makes life hard for these people, some of these hardworking folks can still make a living even with their disability.
But, unfortunately, that is not always the case as finding a job while having a disability can be hard. That is why people who have long-lasting disabilities face the most challenging situations. For approximately 12 million people who have a disability – Social Security can be a life-saving program. Whether it’s the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program – these programs play a huge role in keeping the American dream alive for many.
These programs make sure people have a roof over their heads and healthcare insurance for the times they get sick. This article gives you information on some of the main features of the Social Security Programs offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
For this article, we’re focusing on non-elderly adults. But it is also worth noting that close to 1.2 million children also receive disability benefits.
Facts About Social Security Disability You Need To Know
The Number of People Receiving Benefits
Around 8.8 million people across America receive disability benefits. The amount that a person can receive depends on the number of years they’ve worked, the amount of money they earned, and whether their job was covered by Social Security.
When your job is recognized by the SSA, a portion of your monthly salary is deducted as Social Security taxes. For most people who receive disability benefits, the amount they receive from the SSA is a major portion of their income (71 percent). And for approximately half of the people who receive disability income, the benefits from the SSA are all they make.
Even in cases when people get their usual income replaced by disability benefits, some drastic sacrifices are required. In most cases, disability benefits can replace less than half of what you’ve been earning. When your monthly salary changes in such a dramatic manner, your lifestyle completely changes. You start looking for food stamps a lot more often, and seasonal sales are the only instance you consider getting yourself new clothes.
Disability benefits can provide these people with a basic way of passing life, but certain luxuries are often compromised.
Out of the 8.8 million people who receive disability benefits, more than half receive Supplemental Security Income. This income is very modest since a disability paycheck is only supposed to cover basic expenses. The SSA calls this a “program of last resort.”Mostly, people who do receive disability benefits also get public health insurance, and in some states, people who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income are also eligible for Medicaid.
How Are SSDI and SSI Funded?
As we mentioned earlier, disability insurance is paid for by business owners and their employees. An employee has to pay 0.9 percent of their salary into Social Security taxes, and the cap on this amount is $113,700. Employers then make an equal contribution, and then this amount goes to the SSA. The SSA puts this amount into a trust fund that is designated for disability insurance.
Supplemental Security Income, on the other hand, is funded by federal income tax and other revenues from the federal government. While the SSA only indirectly pays for disabilities, both of these programs are administered by the SSA. Every State also has a determination center, which decides who should be considered disabled. These agencies are also funded by the federal government and have to follow strict guidelines.
Not getting a fair paycheck when you apply for SSDI benefits can be devastating when you have a family to support. If you’re a person who is looking to apply for SSDI benefits, Kahn and Associates can help. We charge a fee on a contingency basis, so they don’t get paid until you win.
What is the Disability Standard?
First and foremost, the disability that you have must be long-lasting, according to the SSA. The SSA maintains that any disability that is expected to last for at least a year is a long-term disability and may be eligible for disability benefits. However, there is a strict check on the legitimacy of a disability.
For the most severe cases, getting SSDI isn’t much of a problem because serious conditions are listed in the “Blue Book” that was created by the SSA. The Blue Book has a list of conditions that entail all diseases that can immediately qualify for disability benefits. However, even if your condition is listed in the Blue Book, you still have to prove that you have certain additional limitations to qualify under this section.
But if your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, there is no reason to lose hope! If your condition is severe enough and the documentation that we retrieve on your behalf checks out, you can still receive disability benefits. However, it’s still a good idea to hire a disability attorney for your case. 75% of all individuals who apply for disability benefits on their own have their cases rejected.
If you are disabled and your long-term disability is a hindrance in your ability to work and make a living for your family, you should apply for disability benefits. Your disability attorney will collect the documents you from your providers and start preparing your claim.
Here at Kahn and Associates we take most cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not require any payment unless we are successful in securing benefits for you.
To learn more about your rights under the Social Security Disability laws call our FREE Disability Hotline at 1-866-4-MY-SSDI (469-7734) to speak with one of our friendly disability rights advocates who, once they obtain all the required information, will evaluate your claim in 60 seconds or less. Alternatively, you can fill out our FREE Disability Case Assessment form and one of our representatives will contact you immediately.
