In just one year, from 2008 to 2009, Social Security disability applications rose by 21 percent. That is a big problem. While only half of applicants get the benefits they seek, officials are worried that the growth threatens to sink the program. Disability claims are for people who have a “substantial work history” and “a medical issue that prevents them from holding a job for at least a year.”
“The growth is the sharpest in the 54-year history of the program. It threatens the program’s fiscal stability and adds to an administrative backlog that is slowing the flow of benefits to those who need them most.
“Moreover, about 8 million workers were receiving disability benefits in June, an increase of 12.6 percent since the recession began in 2007, according to Social Security Administration statistics.”
You might consider looking into the cumbersome process that Social Security disability claimants must go through. It is a system that is set up to weed out the non-worthy, but for those who really need the help, the process can be tough. In most communities you will find law firms that specialize in handling disability claims. No doubt, they would be able to guide you toward some of the more interesting cases near you.
The Post explained what you might find: