SSD program costs may be declining

No one expects to get so seriously injured that they are deemed disabled; however, it is comforting to know that he or she has options if such a horrible and tragic situation occurs. It is well known that Social Security disability programs area available to Americans living with disabilities. It is also well known that the funds for these programs are being depleted, with a potential end date only a few decades away. Thus, it is important to stay on top of eligibility requirements to get these often necessary funds.

Although the Social Security Trustees indicated that there is little change in the financial outlook from the previous year in their recently released 2018 report, they believe that disability rates have been declining. If this rate persists, the program costs will likely be lowered. This is a much different trend when compared to the past 35 years. During that time, the disability rolls were soaring.

There are many reasons for this steady increase over the past three decades. To begin, legislation was passed in 1984 that expanded the definition of disability. This allowed applicants and medical providers the opportunity to have much influence on the process. Second, as the population was aging, the baby boomers were the age bracket experiencing the higher incident rates. Finally, women moving into the workforce caused females to have a long enough work history to become eligible for disability benefits.

SO why is the trend changing. In simple terms, the baby boomers, which make up a large portion of SSDI recipients, are now reaching retirement age. This causes the benefits to shift to Social Security retirement. While this will create a shift in numbers, the Social Security Trustees do not believe this will have a significant impact on the incident rate and the overall longevity of the program.

No matter the number of people using SSD benefits or the status of the program, it is important to consider how to apply for these benefits and what you can do if you are initially denied. Living with a disability can present many challenges, such as covering basic living expenses. SSD benefits can serve a very important purpose and it is important that individuals explore their rights to apply for them.

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