In this day and age of government cutbacks and close scrutiny into everything to see where money can be saved, it should come as no surprise that a lot of people are looking into Social Security Disability insurance. Is it really needed for SSDI? Does it truly help?
Back in July, an Urban Institute Brief was released that asked those very questions. For anyone who has ever received disability benefits or worked with claimants, the answers won’t be surprising: not only does SSDI help, it’s vital to millions of Americans and their families. Of course, simply saying that probably isn’t enough to convince some people, so let’s break down what they cover in the brief.
SSDI is a “Crucial Lifeline” to “Vulnerable Citizens”
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Social Security Disability Insurance was designed to be a safety net for U.S. citizens who needed financial assistance and were prevented from working due to their physical, mental, or psychological limitation. The brief from the Urban Institute says that’s exactly how the program is working, but what does that really mean?
- Millions of workers and their families rely on disability insurance.
- Almost 50 percent of beneficiaries get half of their family income from DI.
- Disability insurance is essentially the only income received by 20 percent of beneficiaries overall, and about a third of unmarried beneficiaries.
- It’s much more likely for someone to receive DI benefits if they have a limited education, which means fewer job opportunities.
But what about accusations that people getting disability benefits are just sitting around and living the high life off of the money of hardworking taxpayers? They are completely false.
- Average family incomes for DI beneficiaries are about half of what families make without someone getting disability benefits. For example, let’s say a healthy family of four earns $60,000. On average, if someone in that family gets DI, their income drops to $30,000.
- People who receive disability benefits are twice as likely to live in poverty or just above the poverty line.
- Most people who get SSDI earn significantly less than they were making when they could work.
In short, the people who are getting SSDI benefits really do need the money to survive. That’s why it’s vital that you know what you’re doing if you decide to go through the application process. Become informed by reading our free disability eBook, and stay informed by following this blog. And when you’re ready to take action, contact us so that you can work with someone who’s done this before and knows all the ins and outs of the system. Call us toll free or arrange for a free case evaluation with a Social Security Disability attorney.
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