Unemployment for People with Disabilities Drops in 2014, SSDI Applications Continue Downward Slide
Unemployment for people with disabilities was significantly lower in 2014 compared to previous years, and applications for
The Allsup Disability Study: Income at Risk report illustrates through
The quarterly unemployment rate was 11.1 percent for people with disabilities compared to 5.2 percent for workers without disabilities for the fourth quarter of 2014, according to non-seasonally adjusted data from the
"Diversity hiring for people with disabilities really took the national stage in 2014 with a number of developments," said
The U.S.
More people with disabilities participating in the workforce carries benefits that include those individuals' contributions to the trust funds for the
The fourth quarter of 2014 also ended with a significant decline in SSDI applications, continuing a trend that began in the fourth quarter of 2012 when SSDI applications dropped below 700,000.
"The trend in SSDI applications over the years can be connected to several factors, including the aging of the working population and fluctuations within the economy," said
Perrigo, a former SSA field office manager, said forecasts about the growth and leveling off of SSDI program participation appear to be on track with U.S. demographics. "The youngest baby boomers reached 50 in 2014, and the average age of disability through the SSDI program is about 53. This helps to illustrate one element in the surge we saw about 10 years ago, and also accounts for the likelihood of fewer SSDI applications going forward."
Understanding Employment Options when Receiving SSDI
People with disabilities who receive
To qualify for SSDI, people with severe disabilities must meet strict requirements, including the inability to do the work they did previously and/or inability to work at other occupations. Also, their disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year, or result in death.
Although most people who receive SSDI are not able to return to work, the SSA oversees work attempts that allow people to try to work while protecting their SSDI benefits for a period of time. The SSA also offers the Ticket to Work program that includes free job-related employment support through organizations like Employment Networks, or ENs.
Incentives include:
• Attempting a trial work period. This is a nine-month period (not necessarily consecutive) allowing someone to work and still receive full SSDI benefits, regardless of amount earned.
• Participating in the extended eligibility period. Following the trial work period, individuals have 36 months to continue working and receiving benefits in months when earnings are not "substantial," according to the SSA. For 2015, earnings are substantial if they are
• Continuation of Medicare Coverage.
• Protection from medical continuing disability reviews (CDRs). Individuals are not subject to a medical review, which could result in termination of SSDI benefits, as long as they are participating in the Ticket to Work program and continue to see progress within the SSA's timeframes.
"There are some important protections for people with disabilities to participate in the Ticket to Work program, including the protection from CDRs," Perrigo explained. The SSA is required to conduct periodic CDRs to determine if existing beneficiaries should continue receiving benefits.
For more information about applying for SSDI benefits, contact the
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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/01/prweb12477876.htm
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