Posts Tagged ‘Disability advocacy’

SSDI is not a “welfare” program

0

As you are likely aware if you have found your way to our blog, The Advocator Group is a Social Security and Medicare advocacy organization.  Our core mission is to help preserve or improve the financial well being of our clients by helping them obtain Social Security Disability Insurance benefits as quickly as possible.  Ultimately, this allows our clients to refocus their time and energy on getting better, rather than on the complex and frustrating SSDI application and appeals process.

While we typically demonstrate our advocacy by providing professional representation in the rigorous process associated with obtaining SSDI benefits, we wanted to take a moment to advocate for our clients, and all severely disabled workers, in a different, but equally important way. 

This week, NPR’s Planet Money published a story entitled “Unfit for Work – The startling rise of disability in America.”  Since it was released, the story has created quite a buzz on the web and within the disability industry.  While the story sheds light on important issues related to the growth of the SSDI program and the individuals who rely on its benefits, it also ignores important details about how the program works and relies on over-generalizations about its beneficiaries to reach its ultimate conclusion.  As a result, a typical reader with little knowledge of the Social Security Disability program could easily walk away with an inaccurate view of the program and an undeservingly negative perception of the hard working Americans who rely on it for monthly income and financial security. 

The SSDI program is an “insurance” program, not a “welfare” program.  It is an insurance program that we each pay taxes into throughout our working lives in order to ensure that if we become disabled and unable to work, we will have access to a vital safety net that will provide us with a minimal amount of financial security.  And the financial benefits really are minimal for the majority of beneficiaries – on average, an individual’s monthly SSDI benefit is only equal to about half of what they were earning while gainfully employed.  (more…)

Tags: , , ,
Posted on March 26, 2013 by Tim Carney

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: The milestones that mark the movement

0

While transitioning to fall and beginning to think about the holidays, October can be a busy month.  But let’s take a moment to remember how far our government has come in encouraging employers to create an equal environment for the disabled.

Since 1945, when the roots of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) originated, the government has enacted a number of measures to encourage the employment of the disabled.

So, as NDEAM 2011 draws to a close, let’s rewind 66 years to its infancy.

Aug. 11, 1945 — The idea of NDEAM originates under President Harry S. Truman. Only a week is dedicated to the cause, and it is titled “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.”

(more…)

Tags: , ,
Posted on October 28, 2011 by Tim Carney

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Avoiding hiring a disabled worker can be risky

0

With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, disabled workers gained expanded legal protections against employers who engage in discriminatory hiring practices.

Employers, however, are at risk of more than just legal charges when they don’t hire disabled workers.

So, what are some of the risks of not hiring a disabled worker?

1. You might be passing over a highly motivated portion of the population. Due to the difficulty of their job search alone, disabled employees are often eager to get started on the job, and especially thankful for the opportunity.

2. You might be limiting the diversity of your company. One of the worst things to be accused of today is being prejudiced, and actions speak louder than words. It’s extremely attractive when a company will accommodate a worker with special needs. The public will gain a better understanding of the type of business that you’re running and the morals that you uphold.

3. You might not be showing the community your values. Undoubtedly, there will be organizations in any company’s local area that support equal employment opportunities for the disabled, as well as community members who are passionate about the cause due to a disabled loved one. Those who care about this cause will choose the establishment that mirrors their values.

There are also intangible benefits to hiring a disabled person, such as the knowledge that your company is giving someone an opportunity to do something that they might have never thought they’d be able to do.

Can you think of any more reasons why not hiring a disabled worker can be risky?

Leave them in a comment!

Tags: , ,
Posted on October 20, 2011 by Tim Carney

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities

0

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a nationwide effort led by Congress and the U.S. Department of Labor to make the public aware of the skills that the disabled community contributes to the workforce.

This year, the theme for NDEAM is “profit by investing in workers with disabilities,” and the goal is to educate employers on the benefits of hiring someone with a disability.

All month long, programs and activities will take place across the country to call attention to Americans who are currently working with a disability, are disabled and looking for a fair employment opportunity, or have become too disabled to work.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandated that employers overlook an interviewee’s disability when considering him or her for a job. But no matter what the law is, many disabled people still face adversity when seeking employment.

Fortunately, various resources can help communities identify and confront employment barriers for disabled workers. What would you like to see happen in your community during NDEAM?

Tags: , , ,
Posted on October 18, 2011 by Tim Carney

6 reasons to get help when you apply for disability benefits

0

An old saying popped into my head when I started writing this post: “The attorney who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.”

I would say the same idea works when you’re applying for disability benefits. If you decide to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with nobody’s guidance but your own, you’re not doing yourself any favors.

Certainly you can go it alone, and many people do. But time and time again, I’ve seen SSDI claimants get tied up in red tape.

As a result, they might not get all of the money they need and deserve. There are many benefits to having an advocate. Here are the top six:

1. Disability advocates let you focus on your health.

Let someone else manage the application. Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can take a long time. Some people are awarded benefits in as little as 60 days. But the average applicant could spend a year and a half plodding through the complicated process. Not only is it complex, but the paperwork can be overwhelming. And the application and appeals process? Let’s just say that if you miss a deadline, you could be back to square one. Now let’s look at it from the other side. Suppose you have a Social Security expert advocating for you. They’ll fill out the application. They’ll file it on your behalf. They’ll make sure you meet important deadlines to guarantee your application is processed. And if you’re denied? Your advocate will move forward with your appeal right away. Just take care of yourself while someone else takes care of paperwork.

2. Disability advocates must know everything about Social Security.

Have you ever heard this fact? Anyone who does something for 10,000 hours or more becomes an expert at it. I can tell you that The Advocator Group’s Social Security experts have millions of combined hours of experience working on SSDI applications. How much do you know about the process? Let me take a guess. Absolutely zero. And Googling it doesn’t count. You’ll never know Social Security as well as someone who works with disability benefits all day, everyday. Experts at The Advocator Group know the SSDI process like the back of their hand. We understand Social Security’s lingo, its hours of operation, every law you must comply with, and every little nuance you might encounter during the application and appeal process. Social Security does offer non-legal representatives who are trained to help people navigate the system. But unlike The Advocator Group’s experts, these people are not licensed attorneys. They can’t present your case before the judge at a hearing and cross examine experts during testimony. A representative with Social Security and legal expertise will get you much further than a representative who has never been in court.

(more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted on September 23, 2011 by Tim Carney