The future is bright for many young Oklahoma residents. At the same time, however, it is important to plan for unexpected adverse events that can happen in the future, and to understand how a person can protect himself or herself if these events actually happen.
One such event is a disability, which can happen to anyone at any time. In fact, according to the Social Security Administration, about one in four individuals at age 20 will become disabled by the time they are 67 years of age.
A disability can have a huge impact on a person’s life, as it may impose an inability to work, in addition to the effects it has on the individual’s personal life. As a result, individuals with a disability often need financial assistance because of the lost income that occurs after they cannot work.
Fortunately, individuals can obtain disability benefits through two different Social Security programs: the Social Security Disability insurance program, and the Supplemental Security Income program. While the two programs are different, the medical requirements that must be met in order to qualify for either program are largely the same.
In particular, individuals will need to provide information about their medical condition and how it affects their ability to work. In addition to medical information, individuals also must provide information about their work history itself, as well as their education history. Through providing this information, individuals can apply for, and hopefully obtain, disability benefits, in order to receive the financial help that is vital after an unexpected disability.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Disability planner: Social Security protection if you become disabled,” accessed on Dec. 19, 2014