Survey Investigates Challenges to Disability Applicants

An overwhelming majority of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants face grave setbacks, according to a national survey. People with disabilities experienced financial crises, extreme stress, and declining health while stuck in the federal disability backlog, according to results compiled and released by Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services.

Arthur Blair, of Gaithersburg, Md., was a program manager at a group home before a combination of osteoarthritis, severe back pain and depression made it impossible for him to keep working. During his two-year wait for SSDI benefits, Blair tapped deep into his savings and had to sell his home after he and his wife were unable to make their mortgage payments. His condition also worsened. 

“I think the process takes away our humanity,” said Blair. “There are no resources to help you.  You are in a financially devastating position, and by the time you’re approved, you have accumulated so much debt and lost everything you’ve worked for. It’s almost impossible to recuperate what you lost.”

A survey of nearly 300 successful SSDI claimants who came to Allsup after having their initial disability applications rejected by the SSA finds:

• Nearly 80 percent of respondents reported facing “barriers to handling the SSDI process on [their] own,” including problems with understanding (48 percent) and completing (61 percent) the necessary forms.
• Three-fourths of the respondents said the level of stress they experienced while applying for SSDI benefits was either “extreme” (39 percent) or “significant” (36 percent).
• Only half (51 percent) of all applicants knew third-party representatives could help them apply for SSDI benefits.

In addition, almost 90 percent of applicants said they faced negative repercussions while waiting for their SSDI award. These included:

• Stress on family – 63 percent
• Worsening illness – 53 percent
• Draining of retirement/savings – 35 percent
•  Lost health insurance – 24 percent
• Missed mortgage payments – 14 percent
• Foreclosure – 6 percent
• Bankruptcy – 5 percent

Allsup conducted the survey by mail June 29 through Sept. 4, 2009. For more information and full survey results, please contact Colleen O’Boyle.

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Get Into the Group That’s Right for You
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Finding Resources in Your Community
 
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Survey Investigates Challenges to Disability Applicants