Sadly, many Americans have misconceptions that people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) live a life of luxury, free from the confines of work. This is not true.
The overwhelming majority of people who collect SSDI live at or below the federal poverty line, with most on average making just over $1,000 per month. Unfortunately, this news has been corroborated through an investigation by the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which found that nearly one in three Americans with disabilities live in poverty.
According to the website DisabilityScoop.com, the committee found that many disabled Americans are simply unable to work, cannot find work that meets their disability demands or have issues with transportation.
The committee reported that twice as many people with disabilities live in poverty, as compared to those who are not disabled, and less than 30 percent of working-age people with disabilities are participating in the workforce.
It should be noted that about 78 percent of Americans who are not disabled, and of working ages, participate in the workforce.
“Congress needs to address these concerns,” said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, according to DisabilityScoop.com. “We need strategies to break through these barriers and create paths to the middle class for the nearly 29 percent of people with disabilities living in poverty.”
How Do I Collect Social Security Disability?
These statistics indicate why social safety net programs like SSDI are so important. Not only are they vital to the economy, in many cases, they are the only thing keeping disabled citizens from becoming destitute.
Remember, to collect SSDI, a person must be completely disabled. In addition, he or she must show that his or her medical condition is expected to worsen and prevent him or her from working for an extended period (for at least one year or to result in death).
If you have a question about applying for Social Security benefits, our attorneys are here to speak to you. Call us today.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability lawyers
Troutman Touts: More than 255,000 Americans applied for SSDI in August.
Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/09/18/report-disabilities-poverty/19683/
