Allsup Promotes Disability Literacy at National Home and Community Based Services Conference
Belleville, Ill (PRWEB) September 12, 2014 -- Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation, will present a workshop on the “Power of Disability Literacy” at the 2014 National Home and Community Based Services Conference (HCBSC), Sept. 16-18, in Arlington, Virginia.
Disability literacy is the ability to obtain and understand information regarding health, finances and resources to adapt to, anticipate and overcome challenges resulting from a chronic illness or disability.
“Many of us are familiar with the terms health literacy and financial literacy,” said Allsup manager of Strategic Alliances, Tai Venuti. “Disability literacy is another important concept that helps individuals better manage their health and finances.”
According to the Social Security Administration, today’s 20-year-old has a 1 in 4 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.
“Nearly everyone has a family member or knows someone who had to limit or stop working due to a mental or physical condition,” said Venuti. “But, less than a third of American workers have private sector long-term disability insurance.
“Understanding programs like SSDI, which most American workers pay into through their FICA taxes, empowers them to make informed decisions and take action to protect their health and finances when they can no longer work.”
An Allsup survey of people with disabilities who had been denied SSDI benefits at the initial level revealed they experienced financial crises, extreme stress and declining health. Click here to see the survey. Nearly 90 percent said they faced negative affects while going through the SSDI appeals process. 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
“Many of these negative outcomes can be avoided if people connect with the right resources at the right time,” said Venuti. “That’s where disability literacy comes in to play―knowing what kind of help is available, and when and how to access that help.”
More than 1,000 national, federal, state and local leaders, advocates, and champions for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities from across the nation are expected to attend the HCBSC. For more information on the conference, click here
For information on SSDI eligibility, visit Expert.Allsup.com or call Allsup’s Disability Evaluation Center at (888) 841-2126.
# # #
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, Illinois, near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.
Tai Venuti, Allsup, http://expert.allsup.com, +1 (618) 236-8573, [email protected]
Share this article