According to SSA, 10.9 Million Americans Receiving Social Security Disability Payments

New information released by the Social Security Administration reveals that the number of Americans receiving Social Security Disability payments is at an all-time high, totaling 10,962,532.

That number is more than the total population of Greece.

According to the SSA, April was the 195th straight month that the number of Americans receiving Social Security Disability increased. Reportedly, the number has not decreased at all since January 1997. However, even then, the number of people receiving Social Security Disability went down by only 249 people.

April 2013 saw 8,865,586 disabled workers, 1,936,236 children of disabled workers, and 160,710 spouses of disabled workers.

As the number of workers receiving Social Security Disability increases, the number of full-time workers in the US is decreasing. Some anaylists believe that this trend is related to the number of Baby Boomers in the US – as they get older, they are beginning to retire, and some are suffering health problems related to their professions.

However, other evidence points to Congress’s decision to expand the definition of “disabled,” thereby permitting seemingly able-bodied people to collect Social Security Disability benefits. These workers are sometimes former soldiers suffering from crippling post-traumatic stress disorder, and sometimes are people who have severe mental disabilities who cannot work.

Figures from the Center for American Progress and the Brookings Institute show that Social Security Disability awards for traditional disabilities, like cancer, strokes, and heart attacks have remained constant. However, since Reagan signed the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act into law in 1981, the number of disability claims for mental disorders and musculoskeletal problems has dramatically increased. The SSDBRA allowed claimants’ descriptions of their pain and suffering to weigh more heavily in the decision procress.

While the number of claims is increasing, the amount of Social Security Disability payouts is also increasing. Social Security Disability is determined based on how much income recipients made while working.

The number of claims can create problems for those with serious, immediate disabilities and need. Many people raise concerns that the rising number of Social Security Disability claims creates a years-long wait list, and allows people who do not deserve Social Security Disability payouts to receive the income.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits in South Carolina

1. Are you working?

If you are working in 2010 and your earnings average more than $1,180 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. However, if you’re not working, you may qualify for social security disability benefits.

2. Is your condition “severe”?

Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities such as sitting, standing, walking, concentrating, or maintaining persistence and pace for your claim to be considered.

If your condition does not interfere with the above work-related activities, Social Security will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, you should consider applying for social security disability.

3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?

For each of the major body systems, Social Security maintains a list of medical conditions that are so severe, being diagnosed with one automatically qualifies you for disability. If your condition is not on the list, Social Security will have to decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, you will be found disabled.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Social Security Disability Claims

Social Security can be complex.  Not understanding the basics and not having counsel can leave you in a bind.  We understand that you need your benefits.  We will put our years of experience to work for you to ensure that you have the representation necessary to actively pursue your claim.  Call the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today to discuss your Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income case today.  We will be glad to discuss any questions you may have during our free, confidential consultation.  Call the experienced attorneys at the Strom Law Firm at (803)252-4800.