Social Security Disability Statistics
When you are unable to work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has benefits in place to help you live with dignity, accounting for your needs and the challenges you face. One of these benefits is know as social security disability insurance (SSDI/SSD), available to injured and impaired adults. The Provo, UT lawyers at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton would like to go over some basic numbers about SSD/SSDI to help you understand how these benefits help people. If you run into any issues with disability payments or receiving benefits, we can help you. Also of the figures cited below cover numbers at the end of 2016 and are from the SSA. Total Number of Benefit Recipients According to the SSA, there were a grand total of 10,153,205 social security disability recipients in December 2016. That is slightly down from 10,237,204 social security disability recipients in 2015. Breakdown of the Social Security Disability Recipients Looking at a breakdown of the recipients of benefits, the SSA found that 8,808,736 were disabled workers (86.8 percent), 1,085,262 were disabled adult children (10.7 percent), and 259,207 were disabled widows or widowers (2.6 percent). In terms of breakdown, this is a generally consistent percentage when looking at recipients in 2015: 8,909,430 recipients were disabled workers, 1,068,443 recipients were adult children, 259,331 recipients were widows or widowers Most Common Impairments Among Disabled Worker Beneficiaries Among 2016 beneficiaries who are disabled workers, the most common impairment was musculo-skeletal system and connective tissue injuries. These accounted for 32.3 percent of disabled worker beneficiaries. The next highest was mental disorders that are not classified as intellectual disability. These accounted for 26.3 percent of disabled worker beneficiaries. Most Common Impairments Among Adult Children Beneficiaries Among 2016 beneficiaries who are adult children, the most common impairment was intellectual disability. This amounted for 45.9 percent of adult children beneficiaries. The number is staggering. By comparison, the next highest impairment among adult children beneficiaries was mental disorders that are not classified as intellectual disability, which accounted for 25.9 percent. Most Common Impairments Among Widow/Widower Beneficiaries Among 2016 beneficiaries who were widows or widowers, the most common impairment was musculo-skeletal system and connective tissue ailments. These accounted for 36.9 percent of widow/widower beneficiaries. The next highest was mental disorders that are not classified as intellectual disability, accounting for 25.1 percent of widow/widower beneficiaries. The Average Age of Beneficiaries In 2016, the most common age range for social security disability beneficiaries was 60-64. Of that group, 29.9 percent of recipients were men and 29.1 percent were women. There is a precipitous drop in disability benefits after this age range since disability benefits automatically convert to social security retirement benefits after a person reaches the age of 65-67, depending on their date of birth. The next highest age ranges for recipients were age 55-59 (24.5 percent male recipients; 24.7 percent female recipients) and age 50-54 (15.2 percent male recipients; 15.9 percent female recipients). The Average Monthly Benefit Payment The average monthly payment can vary depending n the type of beneficiary. For male disabled workers, the average payment was $1,293.38; for female disabled workers, the average payment was $1,042.87 For male adult children, the average payment was $755.31; for female adult children, the average payment was $770.33 For widowers, the average payment was $535.23; for widows, the average payment was $731.88 Learn More About Social Security Disability To learn more about social security disability matters and how our law firm can help you, be sure to contact our experienced social security disability lawyers. The attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help. You can reach our Provo office by phone at (801) 753-1616, our West Jordan office at (801) 509-7102, our Orem office at (801) 669-8835, and our Saratoga Springs office at (801) 341-8424.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Long-Term Disability
When an injury keep you from working, you have a few options for help. Both workers’ compensation and long-term disability insurance can cover wage loss and other costs of living. While there are many benefits to workers’ compensation and long-term disability, there are important differences to note regarding coverage. The Provo, UT attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton would like to compare workers’ compensation and long-term disability so you understand your options following an injury. About Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance carried by employers that protect their employees following an on-the-job-injury. If you are injured while on the job, workers’ compensation will take care of wage loss during the time of your injury. About Long-Term Disability Long-term disability is a type of insurance that covers part of your wages or salary if you are unable to work as a result of an injury or illness. Long-term disability typically does not cover injuries or illnesses sustained while you are on the job. The Benefits of Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation benefits you receive are tax-free, and they often take into account medical care you require and are receiving. Some workers’ compensation plans will also assist with vocational rehabilitation, education, or retraining to help injured workers re-enter the workforce. The Benefits of Long-Term Disability Long-term disability benefits are ideal if you have suffered an injury outside of the workplace that prevent you from working at your job. Your employer is not involved with these benefits since they cover non-work-related issues. When Workers’ Compensation Is More Ideal Workers’ compensation is more ideal when you are unable to work due to an injury that was sustained at your workplace. Rather than pursuing a legal action against your employer, the workers’ compensation benefits are guaranteed to cover the loss of some wages. When Long-Term Disability Is More Ideal Long-term disability is more ideal when you are injured or suffer an illness outside of your workplace. While the amount of benefits received may not be the same as workers’ compensation, it is still helpful in covering lost wages due to the inability to work. Can I Apply for Both Benefits Simultaneously? Since long-term disability insurance does not cover on-the-job injuries and workers’ compensation benefits only covers on-the-job injuries, the answer is typically no. There may be some rare instances in which a person is eligible for both. This depends on a number of factors depending on your situation and the nature of your injury or illness. How Our Lawyers Can Help As you can imagine, both workers’ compensation and long-term disability matters can be complicated. In fact, sometimes the complication has everything to do with the nature of your injury or illness and its exact cause. Our lawyers can hear your side of the story and discuss your best options moving forward. Sometimes we may advise against seeking workers’ compensation and instead suggest legal action against the negligent party responsible for your injuries. Only an experienced attorney can offer sound advice regarding these matters. Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton If you have been seriously injured on the job and want to know about your options for insurance benefits and legal action, we encourage you to contact our experienced work injury lawyers. The attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help. You can reach our Provo office by phone at (801) 753-1616, our West Jordan office at (801) 509-7102, our Orem office at (801) 669-8835, and our Saratoga Springs office at (801) 341-8424.
Social Security Disability vs. Social Security Retirement Benefits
After suffering a serious injury, your ability to work may be severely impacted. If your injuries result in disability, you may be eligible for assistance from the Social Security Administration. Social security disability (SSD/SSDI) benefits help with the costs of living when you are unable to work following an accident or illness. Many clients who are curious about disability coverage ask our Provo, UT lawyers how SSD/SSDI differs from social security benefits collected during retirement. The legal team at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton will compare these two programs below, noting the basic similarities and differences. About Social Security Social security as we know it today began in 1935 under the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration to provide aid for children, those lookin for work, and the elderly. When used colloquially, most people use the phrase “social security” to refer to social security retirement benefits, which people receive upon retiring. In fact, around 70 percent of all people who receive social security benefits are receiving retirement benefits. Qualifying for Social Security To qualify for social security retirement benefits, you must be of a certain age depending on the year you were born. For people born before 1960, benefits kicked in around age 65 to 66. For people born after 1960, retirement benefits an start being collected by age 67. The amount you receive will depend on the amount of work units you earn during your life. About Social Security Disability Social security disability is intended to cover people who have suffered an injury that had rendered them disabled and unable to work. These benefits are taken from the social security trust fund via FICA Social Security taxes. After collecting social security disability for two years, the disabled individual becomes eligible for Medicare. Qualifying for Social Security Disability To qualify for social security disability benefits, a person must be fully disabled, and in such a way that working any of your previous jobs is no longer possible. The injury will also have made working at a less physically or mentally demanding job impossible. Any gainful employment or earnings must be considered as well, since people making more than a certain monthly threshold no longer qualify for social security disability. Social Security and Social Security Disability Similarities As noted above, one of the key similarities between social security retirement benefits and social security disability is that they both draw from payroll taxes from a worker’s wages. Additionally, work credits are used to determine eligibility and the amount of benefits. Social Security and Social Security Disability Differences The primary difference between social security retirement benefits and social security disability is the circumstances in which these benefits are given. There’s a strict set of guidelines to qualify for social security disability benefits. Can I Receive Both Social Security Benefits Simultaneously? No, it is not possible to collect social security retirement benefits and social security disability benefits at the same time. It may be more advantageous to a person to collect one type of benefits rather than another, however. Legal Assistance with Social Security Disability Issues Since social security disability insurance is crucial for many disabled workers, it’s important to have a lawyer on your side for assistance. An attorney can assist you with denied claims and any disputes over amounts given by the Social Security Administration. The expertise and peace of mind will prove invaluable given the complexities of the process an the amount of benefits at stake. Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton For more information about social security disability issues and how our lawyers can help you with your situation, we encourage you to contact our experienced team of lawyers. We at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help you. You can call our Provo office at (801) 753-1616, our West Jordan office at (801) 509-7102, our Orem office at (801) 669-8835, and our Saratoga Springs office at (801) 341-8424.
Workers’ Compensation and Injury Statistics
When workers are injured, it’s important that they receive their workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical bills and costs of living. These benefits can mean the difference between dignity and severe hardship while healing. These claims are sometimes denied, which is where the Provo, UT lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help. Rather than discuss workers’ compensation appeals and other matters related to the process, we’d like to consider some revealing numbers about work injuries and workers’ compensation benefits. These facts and figures tell a fascinating story about workers across the country. The Extent of Workers’ Compensation Coverage The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that workers’ compensation insurance covers more than 140 million people. This accounts for about 94 percent of all workers in the United States. The total cost to employers annually is around $95 billion. Number of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Figures from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that there were 2.9 million non-fatal injuries suffered by American workers. Of that number, 892,270 private sector injuries resulted in days away from work. Current Workers’ Compensation Numbers in Utah U.S. Department of Labor Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) Program has kept tabs on work injury numbers by state. According to DEEOIC 2018 statistics for Utah, there have been 4,398 workers’ compensation claims filed so far, resulting in 2,143 payments. The total amount covered in compensation and medical expenses in Utah is $253.4 million. Private Industry Occupations with Highest Incident of Injury According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following 10 private sector occupations had the highest incidents of injury in 2016: Non-construction laborers – 63,790 injuries Large truck drivers (heavy, tractor-trailer) – 48,710 injuries Janitors and custodians – 36,470 injuries Nursing assistants – 36,340 injuries Repair and general maintenance and workers – 27,900 injuries Stock clerks and order fillers – 24,890 injuries Construction workers – 24,650 injuries Registered nurses – 24,310 injuries Retail salespersons – 23,480 injuries Light truck and delivery drivers – 22,650 injuries Worker Fatality Numbers Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) numbers calculated that there were 5,190 workers who were killed on the job in 2016. This breaks down to more than 99 workers killed on the job a week, or more than 14 workers killed on the job each day. Of the 5,190 work fatalities, 4,693 (21.1 percent) were people who worked in construction. Leading Causes of Workplace Fatalities According to a breakdown of fatal on-the-job injuries, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) found the following leading causes of death: Transportation and vehicle crashes – 2,083 deaths Falls – 849 deaths Assaults and violence – 866 deaths Contact with objects and equipment – 761 deaths Exposure to harmful substances or environments – 518 deaths Fires and explosions – 88 deaths Figures on Denied Workers’ Compensation Claims Workers’ compensation claims may be denied on the first attempt, but that is no reason to give up. The people at Lawyers.com estimate that up to 47 percent of their readers had their claims initially denied. The insurance company Lockton estimated that 67 percent of initially denied claims are eventually paid within a year. This speaks to the importance of the appeals process following a work-related injury. Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton To learn more about issues related to workers’ compensation and how our law firm can help, be sure to contact our team of injury accident attorneys. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help you. You can reach our Provo office by phone at (801) 753-1616, our West Jordan office at (801) 509-7102, our Orem office at (801) 669-8835, and our Saratoga Springs office at (801) 341-8424.