The relatively high unemployment since 2008 has been a hot topic in debates concerning politics and the economy. Americans have not seen rates as high since the economic turmoil of the 1970s and 1980s. We get the impression from news articles that times have rarely been direr, but one overlooked fact is how the poor economic times have affected the disabled.
Disabled Americans face unemployment rates twice as high as the rate for other Americans. For the most recent 2011 data, the non-disability unemployment rate was 8.6 percent. For those with disabilities, the unemployment rate jumps to just shy of 16 percent. If you are a disabled work, please leave your thoughts below on how the tough times have impacted you worse than others you know.
Those with disabilities are generally out of work longer than others. The longer you are out of work, the more problematic your financial situation can become. You are more likely to exhaust your savings and available credit, and, in a vicious cycle, your employment prospects go down if your resume looks less and less competitive.
June Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) applications jumped up 27 percent compared to last year. With tougher job prospects and a lengthy disability benefits process, disabled American workers do not have much leeway when it comes to receiving benefits. If the debt crisis leads to benefits cuts, they may see an already bad situation get worse. Are you a disabled worker who relies on federal support to make ends meet? How have the economic troubles impacted your day-to-day life?
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyers
