DisabilityScoop.com reported last month that disability-related hate crimes have “surged” across the country, as nearly twice as many crimes against the disabled were reported in 2012.
According to the website, the surge in disability crimes is troubling, considering the total number of hate crimes nationwide fell.
DisabilityScoop.com used statistics reported by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. According to the data, in 2012, there were 102 hate crime offenses reported based on disability bias, up from the 58 reported in 2011.
Ironically, the total number of hate crimes declined across the country, from 6,222 in 2012 to 5,796 in 2011. The crimes include incidents motivated by a bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin or disability.
It is disgraceful that someone would specially target a person with a disability when committing a crime, although it is not outrageous to think about, as some disabled citizens are very vulnerable. It is a reminder to people who have loved ones who are disabled to check in with them regularly.
I Need a Tulsa Disability Attorney
While this story is troubling, people with disabilities should know there are many people out there who are willing to help them. Disabled citizens who are searching for work may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which are determined based on a person’s work history.
To qualify for benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses two different tests including the “Duration of Work Test” and the “Recent Work Test”, which take into account how long you have worked as well as how recently in order to determine whether you qualify for disability benefits.
If you have questions about applying for disability benefits and you have a mental illness, contact a Tulsa Social Security disability attorney. We offer free evaluations of your case, and you may reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404. Contact us today.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability attorneys
Troutman Touts: Cancer was the second leading cause of new SSDI claims in 2012, at 14.6 percent of the total number of claims reported.