Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) has become a talking point for many politicians lately, and though it is a common staple of our society, many people don’t understand the system or how it works. So we’ve come up with a few quick facts that you may not have known about SSDI!
4 Facts You Didn’t Know About SSDI
- You earn it: Just because you are a citizen of the United States doesn’t mean you can claim SSDI. To earn coverage, you have to work and pay Social Security taxes, but once you are eligible, the program provides benefits for you and your dependents.
- It’s hard to get benefits: The government’s rules of eligibility are stricter than the rules of private disability plans. The person being considered for disability benefits must suffer from a severe medical condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or result in death. However, this only scratches the surface of these regulations.
- Numbers are rising: The baby boomers and the wave of women who joined the workforce a few decades ago are hitting that age at which disabilities most often strike. This is expected to cause an increase in disability benefits claims, so we all need to be prepared.
- Fighting fraud: The Office of the Inspector General actually investigates fraud before benefits are even dispensed to claimants. This and other efforts have helped keep fraud rates down to less than a fraction of 1 percent. This can make the application process tough, which is why you should consult an SSDI lawyer at the beginning of the process.
There’s a lot of misconceptions about the Social Security system of our country, and it’s important that we know as much as we can so we can keep every American with a disability the help they need. So keep following our blog for the latest information about your Social Security Disability needs.
