Monday May 7, 2012
Social Security disability income, though isn't substantial, helps many disabled individuals pay their monthly expenses. Many are worried about whether their checks will still arrive after 2016, as that is the estimated time when the funds will be exhausted. Currently there are more people signing up for SSDI than there are individuals paying into the program. It has been suggested that some individuals are claiming disability, even if they are not totally disabled, because their unemployment has run out. In addition, the Baby Boomers are retiring in record numbers. To compound the problem, Medicare, the health care plan that most SSDI recipients are on, is also projected to run out of funding in 2016.
According to Richard Foster, Medicare's chief actuary, "The economic outlook remains more uncertain than usual. Due to the sensitivity of hospital insurance trust fund operations to wage increases and unemployment, the current slow recovery from the recent recession adds a significant further element of uncertainty to the trust fund projections."
Currently, there has not been a federal budget in place for three years running, and without a budget, it is unlikely that the fiscal problem with Social Security disability or Medicare trust funds will be resolved anytime soon. It will be tabled until after the next election cycle, leaving many recipients wondering when, not if, their payments will be cut or eliminated altogether.
For now, SSDI recipients will continue to receive their checks each month. It is hoped that the current or next administration will address the issue in a timely manner, and stop the proverbial "kicking the can down the road." 2016 will be here before you know it.
Learn more about Social Security disability income here:
Wednesday May 2, 2012
There is still time to apply for some scholarships for disabled students. If you have been accepted to a college for the fall 2012 semester, the following scholarships are still available:
- 180 Medical - offering 3, $3,000 scholarships for fall 2012. Deadline: June 1
- Georgia Council of the Blind - offering a $1,000 scholarship for residents of GA. Deadline: June 15
- Ameriglide Achiever Scholarship - scholarship amount varies to cover the cost of books and tuition. Deadline: June 1
Information on these scholarships, as well as links to apply, here: College Scholarships for Disabled Students.
Monday April 30, 2012
There are hundreds of veterans coming home each month and among them are many disabled veterans. Disabilities range from extreme injuries to those less visible, such as post traumatic stress disorder. No matter what the disability, these veterans need help and support, as do their family members who may not initially know how to care for a disabled individual.
To assist with re-integration into civilian life and to provide support, many organizations are at the ready to provide much needed resources. Organizations who help veterans may provide monetary support, flights to and from military hospitals, assistance getting to doctor's appointments and physical rehabilitation or provide emotional support during difficult periods of transition.
To learn more about these numerous resources, check out the following:
Monday April 30, 2012
Lupus is a disabling condition that affects men, women and young adults. The disabling effects of lupus include chronic fatigue, swollen joints, fever, sensitivity to light, and many other symptoms, depending upon the severity of a flare up of the disease. A butterfly-shaped rash on the face (across the nose and cheeks) is a common symptom, but many individuals who have lupus do not have this rash.
Many people with lupus have become permanently disabled due to chronic symptoms. Others may be able to continue work if certain accommodations can be made. For example, individuals who have cold hands and feet due to Raynaud's Syndrome may have a space heater placed in their cubicle at work. Those who are consistently running a fever may need a fan available in their workplace. Still others who have swollen joints in their hands may benefit from using Dragon Naturally Speaking software on their computer if they have difficulty typing.
Lupus is known as the "look good, feel bad" disease. There may be people you work with or socialize with that have the disease, though they have no visible outward symptoms. Unless they tell you they're ill, you may never be able to tell by just looking at them. Unfortunately, because this disease isn't visible, many people may think that a person suffering from lupus is fine and maybe pretending that they are ill to get out of work or taking care of everyday responsibilities. The Lupus Foundation is working hard to educate the public about the disease to help others understand this "hidden" disease.
To learn more about lupus, view the following resources:
