“It’s important women realize that they paid for this insurance coverage, and then know when and how to apply for SSDI benefits,” said Mike Stein of Allsup.
Belleville, IL (PRWEB) March 26, 2014
For the first time, women receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are averaging more than $1,000 per month, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of SSDI representation, veterans disability appeal and Medicare plan selection services. In March, Allsup celebrates women’s role in the U.S. workforce during National Women’s History Month.
In December 2012, the average monthly SSDI benefit for women was about $993. That figure rose to more than $1,011 by the end of 2013. In the same time span, average SSDI benefits for men rose from $1,256 to about $1,271.
“Historically, women have been working to catch up to men in terms of SSDI benefits as their roles in the workforce have grown over time,” said Mike Stein, assistant vice president of claims at Allsup.
Research has shown that it wasn’t until the 1990s that women began to have enough earnings to be fully insured for Social Security Disability Insurance at a level comparable to men, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which administers the SSDI program.
SSDI is a federally mandated insurance program that provides monthly income to those with a severe disability who cannot work for at least 12 months or who have a terminal condition. SSDI is funded by workers and their employers through FICA payroll taxes. Workers must earn a certain number of credits to be fully and currently insured for SSDI benefits. In 2014, workers earn one credit with each $1,200 of earnings. Find more information about the importance of work history and earnings for SSDI benefits on Allsup.com.
Unfortunately, many women in the workforce are not aware that they are covered by SSDI, or they may delay filing for Social Security benefits after a disability forces them to quit working, Stein explained.
“It’s important women realize that they paid for this insurance coverage, and then know when and how to apply for SSDI benefits,” he said.
“Having a documented work history is vital to proving eligibility for SSDI because a disability applicant must have paid FICA taxes for at least five of the last 10 years,” Stein continued. “It’s also important to know that the quicker you apply for disability insurance benefits, the sooner you are likely to qualify and regain your financial footing.”
Stein emphasized that SSDI is not a gift or a welfare program. “This is an insurance program, and the government requires workers to participate,” he pointed out. “If an injury or illness makes it impossible for you to continue working, and you meet the SSA’s eligibility requirements, you deserve these benefits.”
Click here to learn more about Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility, or call the Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 678-3276 for a free disability evaluation.
About Allsup
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.
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