Instead, the process navigating a landscape littered with disabled benefits and overburdened bookkeeping is overwhelming at best, especially when the benefits available are going underused and under-resourced. In this article, we will explore these lesser-known perks that are often overlooked, and equip you with the knowledge to ensure that you get everything you are entitled to.

Getting to Know Disability Payments

Disability benefits are benefits paid to you when you cannot work due to a medical condition. Social Security Disability Insurance, primarily funded by FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes, and Supplemental Security Income, funded by general tax revenues, are the two US programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSDI provides benefits to people who have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes, while SSI is need based and does not have any prior work history1.

Yet, many qualifying residents do not apply for these programs and many who do do not take full advantage simply because they do not know the programs exist or do not understand. However, in a 2019 report, the Government Accountability Office estimated that only around half of eligible people apply for SSDI2.

Types of Overlooked Benefits

There are benefits beyond SSDI and SSI that many people never tap into:

State Programs: Each state provides its own set of programs and you might be eligible for them as a supplement to federal disability benefits. These programs differ greatly depending on facts and offer a variety of benefits so it is nice to explore what is offered closer to home.

Tax credits: Common forms are earned income tax credit (EITC) and credit for the elderly or the disabled3.

And as its name suggests, programs such as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program also offer rental assistance to low-income individuals, including those with disabilities4.

How To Claim Benefits

Asking for impairment advantages is a daunting challenge, in general, requiring an abundance of clinical evidence and an expertise of sensible eligibility standards. While the SSA does have an application process for SSDI and SSI on its website, many disability applicants find it helpful to utilize the assistance of a legal professional or advocacy group specializing in disability benefits5.

The approval process can be protracted; things are taking six months or more just for initial decisions. Having your first claim being turned down is common, so an appeals process is needed. Only about 22% of initial claims are approved, according to the SSA, so continuing to pursue your claim and presenting good documentation is crucial6.

The effects and numbers out in the real world

Disability benefits have a significant financial impact. For many, this is a lifeline, income to help with the basics. From the SSA: For 2021, the average SSDI benefit is about $1,277 per month while the average SSI benefit is $586 per month7.

In addition to that, disability benefits can create some indirect effect local economies. Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that disability benefits have an out-sized impact on local spending, which supports firms and jobs in communities nationwide8.

For many, the idea of loss of work not only brings on the difficulties of a medical condition or injury but can also seem like a financial death sentence; however, understanding how to access disability benefits can be life-changing. Despite the availability of these and many other essential resources, eligible individuals often find these programs both difficult to navigate and far from comprehensive, leaving them without the benefits they require; when benefits are revealed and more effectively navigated through the application process, those that are eligible can be helped. The more people become aware, the more people can take advantage of these important, life-changing programs and warmth can be part of our communities.

References

• Social Security Administration: Disability Benefits
• Government Accountability Office: Social Security Disability
• IRS: Credits & Deductions for Individuals
• HUD: Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8
• Social Security Administration: Apply for Benefits
• SSA: Disability Insurance Program Data
• SSA: Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2020
• National Bureau of Economic Research: Disability Benefits and Local Economies