Financial implications of disability
Disability is always unwelcome, but it also often unexpected, too. It catches many people unaware that they were ever in danger of becoming disabled. That means many workers are financially and emotionally unprepared for a sudden, drastic change in their financial situations and health.
The U.S. Census Bureau survey of Americans With Disabilities found that in 2010, the median income for adults with disabilities was about 30 percent less than for those ages 21 to 64 without disabilities. For those without disability insurance from work, and for those who could not afford it on their own, poverty quickly compounds financial problems.
For them and for their families, Social Security Disability insurance benefits are critical. Unfortunately, about two-thirds of SSDI applications are rejected by the Social Security Administration, a financial advice website notes.
If the applicant doesn’t meet the SSA’s strict standards of proving that they are eligible for benefits, the claim will be rejected — even if the applicant is prevented by illness or injury from ever holding a job again. That means the application and appeals processes are both crucial parts of the approval process.
For many people, the news that their claim has been rejected means they now face the prospect of an appeal presided over by an administrative law judge. In those situations, disabled workers have the right to be represented at their appeal hearing by an experienced Denver Social Security Disability insurance attorney. Their right to a lawyer gives them access to someone with deep knowledge of the process, the paperwork and an understanding of what the SSA demands for proof of disability.
