Fewer than four of ten applicants are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Social Security Administration grants Social Security Disability Insurance to people who are unable to work due to a debilitating mental or physical condition. SSDI has come under the attack of multiple news and media outlets for being wasteful and abusive of United States taxpayers’ money. Despite the negative allegations, the Social Security Administration boasts an incredibly low fraud rate (less than 1% according to Michael J. Austre, a former Social Security Administration Commissioner).
People who apply to collect SSDI must meet a specific definition of disability as well as have previously worked. In this way, the SSDI program is designed to encourage and promote work. Additionally, beneficiaries collect, on average, about $1,350, which is about $35 a day. This barely sets SSDI beneficiaries’ earnings above the government poverty line. In large cities like San Antonio, the cost of living is higher which makes it even more difficult to cover expenses. People who collect money don’t typically collect half of what they were able to earn from their previously worked job. These factors combined with the difficulty of approval, help to render arguments against SSDI as sensational and unfair.
People who oppose the disability benefits have often been presented with misinformation. In fact, many of the people that oppose the disability benefits are more likely to use SSDI benefits at some point in their lifetime. A large portion of beneficiaries only need disability insurance for an interim period of time until they are healthy enough to return to work. Obtaining SSDI is actually often very difficult; typically candidates are required to provide medical evidence of a disability from multiple sources. According to the website of the Chris Mayo Law Firm, many people consult a lawyer when going through the application and appeals process. For some people, hiring a lawyer could make the difference in collecting the money they need to survive with their illness.
