When facing a disability, it can be easy to feel like a person is alone. But, this isn’t true. In fact, disability and the need for Social Security disability benefits is a common occurrence in Florida and throughout the country. Those who find themselves unable to work on account of their medical condition can face financial hardship and difficulty navigating the SSD benefits process. In an attempt to reach as favorable of an outcome as possible, these individuals may want to think about seeking out legal assistance.
But, just how common is disability? According to one study, an estimated nearly 57 million Americans reported a disability in 2010. This is approximately 18 percent of the population. Though some of these disabled individuals, especially those with hearing and vision impairment, are able to obtain and hold stable and gainful employment, many are unable to work. This helps account for the nearly 30 percent of disabled Americans who are living in poverty.
Though there are millions of individuals struggling with disability, many fail to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Social Security disability system. Some don’t know where to start their claim, while others are discouraged after their claim is denied. Others might not even know that there is a possibility that they qualify for SSD benefits.
But, SSD benefits can be long-lasting and significant, providing a financial lifeline to those in need of relief. These benefits don’t disqualify an individual from working either. In other words, this program can provide support while an individual attempts to get back to work and focus on the person’s health and family. Yet, in order to successfully obtain these benefits, the process must be successfully approached, which may require competent legal representation.
Source: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, “2015 Disability Statistics Annual Report,” accessed on July 25, 2016