| If you have recently become disabled, then you | | | | information to the government regarding your |
| are probably feeling uncertain about your financial | | | | condition. Since the process can be complicated, |
| future. One of the first places to turn is to short | | | | some people prefer to schedule an appointment |
| term disability insurance, which will cover you for | | | | with a caseworker to fill out a Disability Starter |
| a few weeks, or up to six months as you | | | | Kit at the nearest office by calling 1-800-772-1213. |
| recuperate; unless, of course, you became | | | | According to the most recent Social Security |
| disabled on-the-job, in which case you'll file for | | | | Disability Insurance fact sheet, about 62.8% of |
| Worker's Compensation Insurance instead. | | | | the recipients are retired beneficiaries in their |
| You can apply for either insurance through the | | | | sixties or older. Another 13% are disabled |
| human resources department at your place of | | | | workers, with an average age of 51. Another 6% |
| employment. If it looks like you'll be out of work | | | | are spouses of retired workers, 10% are widows |
| for the long haul, you can apply for long term | | | | of deceased beneficiaries and 8.2% are children of |
| disability insurance through your employer once | | | | retired or disabled workers or who are |
| your short term insurance expires. If you are | | | | themselves disabled. |
| over 65, then you can apply for Social Security. If | | | | Statistically, 75% of the recipients are white, 18% |
| you are disabled and not working, then you may | | | | are black and 7% are other ethnicities. Two-thirds |
| still be eligible for Social Security Disability | | | | of the beneficiaries are 50-64. Of all disabled |
| Insurance. | | | | workers, just over 27% have been diagnosed |
| To apply for Social Security Disability benefits | | | | with mental disorders other than retardation and |
| insurance, visit Socialsecurity to fill out an | | | | fewer than 25% have musculoskeletal disabilities. |
| application and then return it to your local social | | | | Only 1 in 500 workers receiving a social security |
| security office, which can be found at Secure Ssa. | | | | disability benefit ever return to work. |
| To fill out the Social Security Disability application, | | | | If approved for Social Security Disability |
| you will need your social security number, your | | | | Insurance, they will use a formula to determine |
| birth certificate, the names, addresses and phone | | | | exactly how much you will receive. As of May |
| numbers of case workers, doctors, clinics and | | | | 2009, the average disabled beneficiary of SSDI |
| hospitals that cared for you, along with the dates | | | | was bringing in $1,062 per month. If necessary, |
| of care. | | | | these individuals could be awarded an additional |
| Include the names and dosages of medication | | | | $284 for a dependent spouse and $318.30 for a |
| you're taking, medical records from doctors, | | | | child under 18. The disability determination services |
| therapists, hospitals and clinics, laboratory test | | | | office is often flooded with applicants, so this |
| results, a summary of your work experience and | | | | process can take anywhere from 90 days to |
| a copy of your most recent W2. In addition to | | | | over a year to go through. This may seem |
| this basic form, you will also need to fill out other | | | | outrageous for someone who is truly in need, but |
| forms about your medical condition, your ability to | | | | consider that in March 2007, there was a backlog |
| work and forms giving doctors permission to send | | | | of 1,463,153 applications awaiting approval. |