Politicians who’ve gotten elected based on their stance against government spending and talking heads on TV looking to get a bigger audience love to say that disability numbers swell whenever unemployment is high, but is it true?
Not at all. In fact, it only takes a quick glance at the award rates of the past few years to prove this. Moreover, far from going up, the numbers have actually decreased!
2010 – 35%
2011 – 34%
2012 – 33%
This is in spite of the fact that more people have been applying to receive disability. What it shows is that the system works – the people getting through and ultimately receiving the benefits that they need are the ones who have truly serious issues.
Of course, that doesn’t stop people with a particular axe to grind from trying to come at the issue from another direction, and this time they’ve decided to argue that people nearing retirement are more likely to file for disability when unemployment goes up.
Does Impending Retirement Cause SSDI Applications to Grow?
It makes sense that older workers might consider filing for disability as they get close to retirement if unemployment is high, but research doesn’t show this. In fact, there is very little connection between high unemployment and an increase in SSDI applications amongst older workers.
What does lead older workers to file? The answer’s pretty obvious if you think about it: their health. As we age, our health naturally declines, so of course older Americans file for disability more often than younger people. And right now those numbers are definitely swelling the ranks of the disabled because a higher number of people are entering their twilight years. Combine this with the fact that there are more female workers than ever before and it’s pretty easy to see why so many are getting disability.
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Seniors Who Apply for Disability Shouldn’t Feel Guilty
The whole thing seems to be designed to turn regular citizens against those who would apply for disability and encourage those who need it to hold off.
If you’re a senior with a real issue, don’t wait to apply – and don’t feel guilty. Social Security Disability was created precisely for people like you who need a helping hand to keep living a normal life. Learn all you can about the process by downloading the free eBook we’ve put together and continuing to follow our blog. Knowing what your options are is one of the best weapons you have. Call us toll free or arrange for a free case evaluation with a Social Security Disability attorney.
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