Applications for Social Security Disability Enrollment Highest in Southeast

According to newly-released information from the Social Security Administration, Social Security Disability enrollment is highest in the southeast, with West Virginia and Alabama topping the list.

The top five states for Social Security disability enrollment and applications are, in order: West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi. Notable exceptions to the high percentage of population enrollment were North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

South Carolina ranked 9th on the Social Security disability list, with 4.6% of the population relying on Social Security disability. Currently, about 3% of the total national population relies on Social Security disability payments, which is about 10 million people across the country.

“Businesses are aware of this,” says Keivan Deravi, an economist at Auburn University at Montgomery. He said that businesses look at Social Security disability rates when deciding where to open new stores. “High-growth businesses will avoid such markets” with high rates of disability, Deravi contends.

Current projections suggest that the Social Security disability fund will run out of money by 2016 – just two years from now – and many of those concerned point to numbers of disabled workers on the rise and link that increase to fraud. In particular, the recent massive fraud bust of former New York City emergency responders, who with the help of corrupt lawyers and doctors bilked SSDI of millions of dollars, has led critics to believe that the Social Security disability program does not keep a strict eye on overpayments and potential fraudulent claims.

Despite fraud concerns, many Americans need the Social Security disability program. Physical symptoms of job stress, chronic pain disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder from stressful jobs, former military service, or a work-related incident have all led to disability claims and, in some rare cases, payments.

Social Security disability applications require the claimed medical condition to last at least one year, or result in death. Temporary disability pays workers to focus on their recovery so they can return to work, but permanent or total disability pays small living stipends to those who suffer chronic and terminal illnesses so terrible they will be unable to work for the rest of their lives – these illnesses include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

Although SSDI replaces some income, the average income payment is currently $1,146 – that gives the recipient an average annual income of $13,752, just above the federal definition of poverty at $11,670, and well below the average middle class income of $45,000.

Qualifying for Social Security disability payments – after going through a potentially lengthy appeals process – is not easy. Approval rates across the country range from 32% to 62%. States like South Carolina that feature high Social Security Disability enrollment in the federal program also often have high rates of denials.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Social Security Disability Claims

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance can be complex. However, we understand that you need your benefits and we will put our years of experience to work for you to ensure that you have the representation necessary to actively pursue your claim. Call the South Carolina Social Security Disability attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today to discuss your Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income case today. We will be glad to discuss any questions you may have during our free, confidential consultation. Call the experienced attorneys at the Strom Law Firm at (803)252-4800.