Unemployment rates across the country are at an all time low, and American citizens are feeling the effects of the significant economic downturn. People with disabilities seem to be experiencing a particularly hard employment period these past few months. According to a study conducted by Allsup, the unemployment rate for individuals suffering from a disability has risen to its highest quarterly rate in the past year. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities has continued to remain higher than the unemployment rate of the average able-bodied individual.
According to the study based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the unemployment rate for people with a disability reached 15.6 percent, nearly double the common unemployment rate. As the disability unemployment rate rises, so do the number of applications for Social Security Disability Insurance. In that same time period, as the rate increased, the number of SSDI applications tolled in at 764,902, a 4.3 percent increase from the same time period in 2009. In 2010 alone, approximately 2.25 million people have filed claims for disability benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal insurance program funded by tax-payer money. The SSDI program ensures that individuals with a physical disability or terminal condition who are unable to work for a period of 12 months or more can have funds to support themselves. The amount of benefits that they are entitled to are calculated based upon their earnings history. The process may be confusing to tackle on your own, and a lack of information could lead to the possible denial of social security benefits. Many people seek the help of a social security disability attorney who can represent their interests throughout the process.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle “Income at Risk: Quarterly Unemployment Rate for People with Disabilities Climbs along with SSDI Claims, Reports Allsup” 10/26/10