Social Security Disability Benefits

Mikki Waid, AARP Public Policy Institute

Published May 19, 2015

Summary of Publication

This fact sheet highlights the vital importance of Social Security benefits to workers with disabilities. More than one-third of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries depend on Social Security for nearly all of their family income. In addition, Social Security benefits keep almost 2 out of 5 SSDI beneficiaries out of poverty. At the end of 2016, the assets in the Disability Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted, after which the program will only be able to pay 81 percent of promised SSDI benefits. Any cut in benefits, especially a 20-percent cut, will be devastating to the well-being of many workers with disabilities who are receiving Social Security.

Read the full report: Social Security Disability Benefits: A Lifeline for Workers with Disabilities (PDF)

Social Security: Who's Counting On It? (PDF)

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