Disability Statistics for the United States

According to a post on "Disability Bits": More than fifty million Americans have some level of disability. Of these individuals, forty-four percent have a disability that is not considered severe and are able to work year round on a full-time basis. Also, of this total number, 80 percent are individuals who are eighty years of age or older. Additionally, among the total number of fifty-plus million (actual number - 51.2 million) are 1 million individuals who report that they are unable to hear and 1.8 million individuals who report that they are unable to see.

This information was drawn from U.S. census data released by the federal government in august of 2006



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How many Social Security disability cases are approved for back pain?
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Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The anniversary of the ADA, or Americans with disabilities act, is on July 26th. When was the ADA passed? In 1990. For additional information regarding the ADA, its goals, and its effects on American society, you may wish to view this following page on the Social Security Disability Resource Center:

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA?


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How is SSI different from Social Security Disability?
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Fica Taxes

Unless an individual is self-employed, their social security taxes (to insure them for social security retirment benefits when they reach retirement age and to insure them for disability benefits should they become disabled prior to retirement age) are withheld from their paychecks by their employer. Social security taxes are otherwise known as fica taxes (fica stands for federal insurance contributions act).

How much is withheld from a paycheck by an employer to pay social security taxes? Employers are required to withhold 6.2 percent of a workers gross pay to account for social security taxes. Additionally, an employer must also take out a payroll tax of 1.45 percent to account for medicare.


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What is the process to file a Social Security Disability appeal?
What are the chances of winning disability benefits through an appeal?
How severe must a condition be to qualify for Social Security disability?

Social Security Disability Resource Site

The Social Security Disability Resource Site provides general information about various Social Security disability topics, as well as some information about long-term disability and workman’s compensation, as they relate to Social Security disability benefits. Furthermore, the Social Security Disability Resource Site has a web page that provides “tips” for winning disability if you have certain medical or mental impairments such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, anxiety and depression, arthritis, and heart disease. The Social Security Disability Resource Site has a “What’s New” page that is being developed at this time, and this may possibly provide new information about the Social Security disability process when completed. Overall, this website does provide some useful information about Social Security Disability.

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How can you speed up Social Security Disability ?
Is Social Security required to make a decision on a disability case in a certain time period?
What options do you have after a disability claim has been denied?

Wikipedia Social Security Disability Page

Wikipedia provides a page titled Social Security Disability, and the page is informative and concise. Another benefit of the Wikipedia Social Security page is that it is not provided for the purpose of financial gain. Some of the topics covered by the Wikipedia Social Security Disability page are as follows: qualifications (to receive disability from Social Security), how long it may take to process your disability claim at each level of the disability process, and a small section addressing the perceived benefits of SSDI over Long Term Disability insurance. Of course, the last section is subjective in nature, however it does provide some useful information. Additionally, the Wikipedia Social Security page provides many useful links to other sites dealing with Social Security disability.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

How to get Disability Approved
What does a lawyer do to help on Social Security disability ?
Determination of disability claim

Social Security Blog

Jonathan Ginsberg moderates the Social Security Blog. The Social Security Blog is composed of a question or comment section with answers and commentary provided by Mr. Ginsberg. In reviewing some of the question and answer portions of the blog, it appears that Mr. Ginsberg is providing useful information to those individuals who have asked questions. Along the right edge of the Social Security Blog website, Mr. Ginsberg has provided files, which contain a variety of Social Security Disability program information as well as information about various medical conditions as they relate to Social Security disability. Mr. Ginsberg cites other sources and provides some links to other blogs and websites on a variety of medical and legal subjects. The Social Security Disability Blog appears to provide useful information for individuals who have Social Security disability questions.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Hearings for Disability
Social Security Disability Appeals Process
Who qualifies for disability benefits ?

Disability Income Insurance Protection, Part III

There are many different options when it comes to disability income insurance, so it is best to educate yourself and know what you are looking for. You may choose total or partial disability insurance. You may look for a plan that covers you until age 65 or one that only covers a five-year period. You may choose a short or long waiting period, which is the time before your benefits begin. And you may even choose to add a rider, which is an optional, additional coverage on your policy that can be specific to your needs.

All of these choices will affect your benefit premium. Partial insurance is cheaper than total disability, a five-year coverage is cheaper than one that covers you until age 65, and electing for a longer waiting period will be cheaper than electing to receive your benefits immediately. In addition, a rider usually carries a premium.

Although disability income insurance can be costly, one might want to consider how costly it may be to forgo protection and find themselves suddenly disabled and unable to work. Not only will quality of life suffer, but so will quality of medical care.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Receive an Approval for Social Security Disability
How often does someone get disability approved in just a few months ?
If a reconsideration is denied for Social Security Disability or SSI

Disability Income Insurance Protection, Part II

Disability income insurance helps to replace a portion of lost earnings and could possibly protect your ability to contribution to your retirement fund due to sickness or injury.

There are alternatives to buying disability income insurance, but they are not exceptionally attractive. One could rely on Social Security, yet qualifying is challenging and the amount of benefits depends upon contribution status, income and age, as well as many other variables. In essence, it is not a stable amount that can be relied upon. One might also try to rely on a company paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance, though it is best to run over these policies with a fine tooth comb. Most of these employer paid benefits only cover between thirty to fifty percent of annual earning, without bonuses and retirement contributions.

Other alternatives include using your savings account or borrowing money. Both of these options are very unstable. The savings account can be drained quickly, and how much can one continue to borrow if they are not meeting their own living expenses? Considering these alternatives, you may choose to opt for purchasing disability income insurance.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

How often does someone get disability approved in just a few months ?
Can you get a disability decision in under a month ?
Can my child receive disability for asthma ?

Disability Income Insurance Protection, Part I

In the event that you become sick or injured and unable to earn income, your savings could be quickly depleted. In addition, your home, retirement plans and family could be affected, as well as your basic necessities and goals. While no one wants to think that disability could affect them, the truth is that it very well could.

Social Security sources report that while 75% of the private-sector workforce does not have long-term disability income insurance, almost 30% of today’s 20 year-old workers will become disabled before they turn 67. Other reports and statistics are just as staggering in their findings, that nine million people over age 65 currently need long-term care, while estimates say that number will reach twelve million by 2020.

Considering all the costs to keep a life running smoothly, from housing, food and clothing, to vehicle maintenance, monthly utilities and possible medical expenses, the affordability of disability income insurance should not cause hesitation. If you find yourself suddenly unable to bring in a monthly income, the results could be devastating.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Are you allowed to work at all if you get Social Security disability or SSI ?
Advice for a Social Security Disability Continuing Review
can I lose my disability benefits at some point ?

Filing for Disability

InfoMin (Medical Information Network) provides a web page, Filing for Disability, the apparent purpose of which is to provide interesting articles about the Social Security disability process, as well as other health related information. Many of the articles about negotiating the disability process are written by Scott E. Davis, Esquire, although there are links to articles written by others as well.

The articles contained on the Filing for Disability web page address Social Security medical listings, work issues and Social Security disability, and Social Security and certain types of illness such as fibroymyalgia and chronic pain syndrome. This website has a multitude of articles addressing all aspects of Social Security disability. Additionally, InfoMin provides links to other informative Social Security disability sites and health related websites such as ImmuneSupport.Com.

Although the site does not appear to have been updated for a couple of years, most of the information is relevant and informative.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Social Security Disability Medical Review
Social Security Disability Approval
Social Security Disability Health Coverage

Social Security Disability Claims

Social Security Disability Claims is a website created by a private law firm, which represents individuals who are filing for Social Security disability across the nation. The homepage addresses the definition of disability under the Social Security Disability Act, explains the difference between the two disability programs that are administered by the Social Security Administration, as well as providing an eighteen question FAQ page that addresses other common questions about Social Security disability. The primary function of this Social Security disability website appears to be to provide general information about the disability process and the benefits of obtaining a representative for your Social Security disability claim.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

An SSI case for disability-who is eligible ?
Social Security disability and assets
Social Security Disability Denial Letter