One of the reasons politicians frequently target the Social Security disability program is that it purportedly does not do much to get Floridians and other Americans out of poverty. In other words, despite the billions paid out in disability benefits each year, those receiving them seem to remain “poor”, at least as that term is defined under the law of this country.
However, a new study suggests that perhaps these politicians aren’t looking at the program in the right way. Examined more carefully, Social Security, both the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs, actually do a lot to pull people out of poverty or, at least, provide some relief.
Almost across the board, Social Security has been the most effective among other major welfare programs studied in pulling American families out of poverty. Not surprisingly, the program has had a particularly important impact on those who are described as “elderly” and on the disabled.
Indeed, as this blog has discussed on previous occasions, the Social Security disability programs are there precisely because we as a society recognize that people who were at one point able to work and are still willing to do so can find themselves in a severe financial pinch after a debilitating illness or accident.
While the program won’t solve all problems related to having a disability, it does offer valuable financial support to Central Floridians who are not able to work through no fault of their own. However, getting these benefits is not always a simple matter, which is why many Floridians choose to retain the help of an experienced Social Security attorney.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “New evidence shows that our anti-poverty programs, especially Social Security, work well,” Michael Hiltzik, May 7, 2018.
