Facts about Social Security Disability

The Social Security Administration recently launched "The Faces and Facts of Disability," an education and awareness initiative to help educate the public about Social Security disability insurance and dispel common misconceptions. Social Security disability insurance is coverage that workers earn by paying Social Security taxes on their earnings. Nearly 9 million disabled workers receive disability insurance. These 9 million individuals make up a diverse group of individuals with mental impairments, sensory disabilities, and physical disabilities.

Definition of disability

The Social Security Act defines disability very strictly. Eligibility rules differ from those of private plans. Social Security does not provide temporary or partial disability benefits, like workers compensation or veterans' benefits do. One of the qualifications that Social Security looks at to see if an individual is disabled under Social Security's Act is if he or she cannot work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or result in death. The individual's medical condition must prevent them from doing work that they have done in the past, and it must prevent them from adjusting to other work.

Disability is unpredictable

Disability is unpredictable and could happen to anyone at any age. Tragically, every day thousands of young people are seriously injured. Many individuals hear about disability but they don't think it will happen to them. One in four 20 year olds insured for disability benefits become disabled before reaching retirement age. Social Security disability insurance provides a critical source of financial support to these people.

Social Security Disability payments

The average monthly disability benefit paid by Social Security to beneficiaries at the beginning of 2014 was $1,146. Even with this disability payment one in five beneficiaries live in poverty and most are low income. More than 49 percent of all disabled beneficiaries receive less than $1,000 per month.

Community resources

Disability Benefit Specialists at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin work with individual's ages 18-59 years old with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. They can provide accurate information on public and private benefits and programs; help determine which benefits and programs you may be entitled to, and assistance with filling out applications. Some of the programs a Disability Benefit Specialist can help with are Medicaid, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Prescription Drug Assistance, and Insurance Issues. They can also provide referrals, assistance, and support on other matters including disability rights.

To contact a Disability Benefit Specialist, call the Aging &Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin at 888-486-9545. The ADRC-CW serves Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon and Wood counties.

Source: Social Security. The Faces and Facts of Disability. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts/materials.html#a0=5

Contributed by Michelle McDougal, disability benefit specialist with Aging & Disability and Resource Center of Central Wisconsin.