On August 1, 2016, the major federal program known as Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) turned 60 years old. The program was enacted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Since its enactment, this federal program has provided monetary assistance to millions of disabled workers and dependents. According to a recent statistic published by the Social Security Administration, there are more than 10 million disabled workers and dependents receiving more than $11 billion each month in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits as of June 2016.
The program has seen many changes through the generations. The original enacted piece of legislation was originally limited to individuals age 50 or older, and there were no benefits payable to dependents of disabled workers. Eventually, the SSDI program evolved to what it is today, a program wherein a qualifying SSDI Claimant can qualify for benefits no matter how much money he or she has or earns. Moreover, the SSDI program is available to claimants who become disabled before age 28 and benefits can be payable to the dependents of disabled workers.
No doubt this federal program is an important piece of legislation that has and continues to be a necessary program to protect those who become disabled due to a “disability” as defined by the federal government.
If you or someone you know is disabled from full-time work due to a serious health condition, either physical and/or psychological, don’t wait. Give the Soloway Law Firm a call. An experienced attorney will be happy to take your call to discuss your case with you, for free.