Understanding Your Options — The Challenges of Financial Support for Disabled Individuals in 2023

People with disabilities were 2.78 times more likely to experience financial hardship during the pandemic than nondisabled individuals. With the brunt of the pandemic over, however, the financial issues that many disabled individuals face are still present today in 2023. From the resources available for those who qualify to the challenges surrounding Social Security benefits in a post-pandemic world, here’s what you should know.

The role of Social Security benefits

Disabled individuals who are 65 or over may be eligible for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), states the usa.gov website. Regarding the difference between the two, one Forbes Advisor post explains that Social Security disability “is a benefit people earn by working and paying into the system, while SSI is a federal welfare program that provides base-level cash assistance for people who were not able to work or pay into the system.”

In 2022, nearly 1,300 administrative law judges (ALJs) heard disability benefit cases working across 168 Social Security hearing offices, and delivered about 322,000 total decisions. The approval rate was just over 54%, though working with a disability lawyer can make for a stronger case at a disability hearing, and may increase your chances of winning benefits. However, it’s important to realize that for many applicants, the process of applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) can take more than two years.

The unknown of the post-pandemic 

According to past research, more than 20% of Disability Insurance recipients and 52% of Supplemental Security Income recipients live in poverty despite receiving the benefits.  The Conversation article further goes on to highlight the fact that an estimated 500,000 individuals are experiencing disabilities due to long COVID, with those experiencing such a situation reportedly having more difficulty receiving benefits.

Michaelene Carlton, 49, who says she has experienced long-term COVID-19 symptoms since March 2020, is just one of up to 23 million Americans estimated to be living with ‘post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection,’ notes the CNN article. The chronic condition, which can involve symptoms such as memory loss, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and more, has left many unable to work. Carlton, who had spent three months trying to find out the status of her disability application, hasn’t heard back, according to the post, which was published in March of 2023. “It’s my family’s future,” she said. “I can’t do much physically. I can’t work. This way, I could at least contribute something. It would allow me to feed my family. But the system is broken.”

While Social Security Administration spokesperson Darren Lutz acknowledged that wait times are “far too long,” citing challenges that include staffing shortages and other issues, one CBS News article points out that some areas of the United States have been particularly affected, such as the South and Appalachia “since those regions tend to have an older workforce than most other parts of the country, more workers in manufacturing, and people with lower educational attainment who tend to rely more on disability benefits.”

Highlighting the root of the issues

Over one million people are waiting for Social Security disability services in 2023, and simply waiting it out isn’t an option for many who are struggling to make ends meet. Regarding the backlog, Amber Thomas, data visualization engineer at USAFacts told the Deseret News “The Social Security Administration noted that lack of employees at the state level and funding have been the two largest contributing factors to the backlog.” According to USAFacts, an estimated 8,000 applicants file for bankruptcy and 10,000 die each year waiting for a decision due to the backlog, highlighting a stark reality that many Americans face.

Regarding advocacy surrounding the issues that many currently face when it comes to Social Security benefits and disability, the Deseret News article highlights advice from Thomas, who points out that simply sharing the USAFacts report with family and friends who want to learn more can be a great way for Americans to help. While spreading the word can help inform and educate people, Thomas also advises those who are interested in helping to contact their lawmaking representatives at local, state, and national levels in order to address the issue.

Seeking additional support

The United Disabilities Services (UDS) highlights that nearly one in five adults will experience some form of short or long term disability by the time they reach retirement age. While some may consider taking early retirement benefits when facing financial instability, it’s important to note that there are a variety of resources available for those who qualify, including assistance with prescription drug costs, Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare, and housing assistance. Food pantries, community resources, and programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program highlight additional options for those who are eligible.

For many disabled Americans, going through the process of applying for Social Security disability benefits can be overwhelming, especially when taking into account a long wait time. While many may consider taking out early retirement to get by, highlighting other resources and spreading awareness may be able to help.