Noteboom The Law Firm

Disability and the Poverty Rate

If you currently get Social Security disability payments every month and struggle to pay your bills, you are not alone. In fact, according to The Baltimore Sun, about half of adults in poverty for more than a year have at least one disability. 

The information comes from a recent study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, which also adds that those with disabilities comprise the largest group of minorities in poverty, even trumping single parents. These findings are likely not surprising at all if you have lived with a disability.

Aside from the fact that many people with disabilities cannot work in most positions, there is also the added expense of the necessary equipment to deal with a disabling medical condition. This could include wheelchairs, crutches, catheters, and more. Making a home disability-friendly can be extremely expensive as well.

Most disabled people also require frequent doctor visits to monitor their health, along with prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Fortunately, most people have their medical costs paid for by Medicare, but not every expense is usually covered. Plus, many people pay premiums each month to have the privilege of Medicare.

One aspect that could contribute to keeping the disabled impoverished is the income limit. It is extremely low, which often means that some people who are disabled cannot qualify for payments because they make slightly more than the income threshold. While it is understandable to have a minimum income since the money is meant to help people pay for things they otherwise could not afford, some truly poor people have been denied the benefits for being barely over the limit.

Hiring an experienced disability lawyer will give you the best chances of getting compensation for your disabling medical condition. If you are impoverished but are slightly over the income limit, or would like to know what the limit is, contact a lawyer.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.