Here’s a grim
statistic: in June 2012, more workers joined the Social Security Disability
program than got new jobs, according to two new government reports.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported on July 7 that the economy created just 80,000 jobs in June. That same
month, according to the SSA, 85,000 workers were enrolled in the disability
benefits program.
In fact, according to the website
Investors.com, since the recovery officially ended in June 2009, 2.6 million
jobs have been created and half-a-million more people than that - 3.1 million -
signed up for disability benefits, many with the help of a Social Security
lawyer or Social Security attorney. That means 19 percent more people joined
the ranks of the disabled than joined the ranks of the employed.
And, at the end of June 2012, a
total of 8,733,461 people were on the ranks of the disabled (via the Social
Security Administration disability program), a .3 percent increase over the May
figure of 8,707,185. At the end of June 2011, the number of disabled totaled
8,403,449, an increase of 330,012, or 3 percent.
Social Security attorneys know that
when unemployment is high and jobs scarce, more people attempt to win disability
benefits. People unable to work may go it alone or seek the help of a Social
Security lawyer. According to SSA
statistics, between April 2011 and June 2012, there was only one month
(November 2011) in which initial applications for disability benefits numbered
fewer than 200,000. In June 2012, 274,000 applied for benefits, the third
highest in that timeframe. A total of 84,766 people were awarded benefits, an
increase of 9.53 percent over May.
During the second quarter of 2010,
the number of people classified as disabled and in “payment status” first
reached the 8 million mark. Many of these people had the assistance of a Social
Security attorney or Social Security lawyer in navigating the often complex
process of applying for and obtaining benefits.
A Social Security lawyer or Social
Security attorney or other advocate typically works on a system that requires
no upfront payment; there is no fee until the case is won.
While the number receiving benefits
may seem high, it was 30.9 percent of the number of applicants. Research
consistently shows that having a Social Security attorney or Social Security
lawyer in your corner increases an applicant’s chances of winning benefits, at
least partially because the process is so cumbersome.
According to the monthly statistical snapshot for May 2012, the
number of disabled workers totaled 8.7 million, for 15.5 percent of all SSA
beneficiaries. Retired workers totaled 36.1 million, and comprised 64.3 percent
of all beneficiaries. Disabled workers received an average monthly benefit of
$1,111, while retired workers received an average $1,223.
Disabled workers’ spouses numbered
165,000 (.3 percent of the total) and received an average monthly benefit of
$298, while children totaled 3.4 percent of the total, and numbered 1.9
million. They received an average monthly benefit of $331.
In general, to receive disability
benefits, applicants must be able to show they cannot work because of an
illness or medical condition (both physical and mental) that is expected to
last for at least 12 months or result in death, and have worked in jobs covered
by Social Security long enough to receive benefits. For specifics, and for how
the laws apply to a particular case, someone unable to work because of illness
or disability should contact a Social Security attorney or Social Security
lawyer. Remember, there’s typically no fee until the case is won.
