By Bill Bishop and Roberto Gallardo
The Social Security disability system began in 1957 as a way to help people too sick to work. By 2009 more than 9.6 million Americans were counted as disabled. Rates of disability in rural America are 80 percent higher than in the cities.
More than one out of four working age adults (15 to 64) in Buchanan County, Virginia, was receiving disability payments from Social Security in 2009.
Originally posted on The Advocator Blog
"Fact: Every second, a worker in the U.S. becomes disabled. Then what?"
That is the question that Jon Arbay, Executive Director and founder of the National Association for Injured and Disabled Workers (NAIDW), found himself faced with after he suffered a disability that halted his career indefinitely.
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires most group health plans to provide a temporary continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated. COBRA requires continuation coverage to be offered to covered employees, their spouses, and their dependent children when group health coverage would otherwise be lost due to certain specific events. Those events include the death of a covered employee, termination or reduction in the hours of a covered employee’s employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, divorce, or legal separation from a covered employee, a covered employee’s becoming entitled to Medicare, and a child’s loss of dependent status (and therefore coverage) under the plan.
* In the last 10 minutes, 498 Americans became disabled. National Safety Council, Injury Facts 2008 Ed.
* In the U.S., a disabling injury occurs every 1 second, a fatal injury occurs every 4 minutes. National Safety Council, Injury Facts 2008 Ed.
* 3 in 10 workers entering the work force today will become disabled before retiring. Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet January 31, 2007
* 1 in 7 workers can expect to be disabled for five years or more before retirement. "Commissioners Disability Table, 1998," Health Insurance Association of America, the New York Times, February 2000
* An illness or accident will keep 1 in 5 workers out of work for at least a year before the age of 65. Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, November, 2005
* Unexpected illnesses and injuries cause 350,000 personal bankruptcies each year. "Ilness and Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy," Health Affairs, February 2, 2005
* Disability causes nearly 50% of all mortgage foreclosures, 2% are caused by death. Health Affairs, The Policy Journal of the Health Sphere, 2 February 2005
* Over 51 million Americans are classified as disabled, representing 18% of the population. U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office, November 2008
* Workers today are 3 times more likely to suffer a long-term disability than to die during their working years. The Council of Disability Insurers. Long-Term Disability Claims Review, 2005
* While many people think that disabilities are caused by freak accidents, the majority of long-term absences are due to back injuries and ilnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Council for Disability Awareness, Long-Term Disability Claims Review, 2007
* The average long-term disability absence last 2.5 years. Commissioner's Individual Disability Table A
* Less than half- 39% of the 2.1 million workers who applied for SSDI benefits in 2005 were approved. Social Security Administration, Office of Disability and Income Security Programs
* The average monthly Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) payment is $1,004, replacing on average, about 33% of your current income. Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet, 2008
* 32% of individuals receiving long-term disability insurance benifits do not qualify for SSDI benefits, and 95% are not eligible for workers' compensation.
* According to the Federal Reserve, 44% of U.S. families spend more than they earn. Federal Reserve Board, Survey of Consumer Finances 2004
* 71% of American employees live from paycheck to paycheck. American Payroll Association, "Getting Paid in America" Survey, 2008
Workplace Injury & Death Statistics
The raw statistics are always startling: In 2009, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,340 workers were killed on the job—an average of 12 workers every day—and an estimated 50,000 died from occupational diseases. More than 4.1 million work-related injuries and illnesses were reported, but this number understates the problem. The true toll of job injuries is two to three times greater—about 8 million to12 million job injuries and illnesses each year. And the cost in dollars alone? The cost of job injuries and illnesses is enormous—estimated at $159 billion to $318 billion a year for direct and indirect costs of disabling injuries.
Chronic Pain Facts & Statistics
Chronic Pain Community Facts and Statistics:
Chronic pain affects an estimated 116 million American adults and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatment and lost productivity. - Source: IOM - http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Relieving-Pain-in-America-A-Blueprint-for-Transforming-Prevention-Care-Education-Research.aspx United States Department of Health and Human Services- Source: P.A.N.D.O.R.A.
Disability Facts & Statistics
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Federal Fraud: Whistle Blower Hotline!
Report Medicare Fraud:
http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/
http://www.healthreform.gov/fraud.html
Please use this link to report any fraud. You may or may not remain anonymous depending upon your state laws. You may also need to testify.
Keep in mind that the image of workers submitting fraudulent claims is, for the most part, false! Studies show that only 1 to 2 percent of workers' compensation claims are fraudulant. However, there are still people out there that are abusing the system.
Insurance companies have shaped this stigma through decades of similar claims. Remember, fraud is not commited by workers only. You can also report your insurance company, employer, and any doctors or treatment centers with inflated claims. - http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/
Choose Your State
Injury, illness, pain and disability cases can often pit the interests of an injured or disabled worker against the interests of an employer and insurer. For this reason, the workers compensation, injury and disability claims process can be adversarial and difficult and will often necessitate the use of an attorney who is experienced with regards to your specific claims.The information presented on these pages should generally be suitable for worker's claimants in most states. However, claimants should keep in mind the fact that each state is different with regard to workman's compensation,personal injury and disability laws, and for this reason consultation with an attorney may be advantageous.
Please Note: The information contained in these pages, of course, are of a general informational nature. They do not constitute legal advice, and should not be construed as such. For legal information pertaining to the state in which you reside, please consult with a qualified attorney or lawyer. You can search find a local attorney here.
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Welcome Members and Visitors:
The National Association of Injured & Disabled Workers NAIDW® is a nationally recognized 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable foundation that advocates on behalf of injured & disabled workers and their families.
NAIDW's purpose is to provide FREE unlimited resources, support, guidance and short-term financial assistance to injured & disabled workers and their families that suffer from the result of an injury, illness, chronic pain, disability and death. Best of all, an NAIDW® membership is absolutely free for all injured & disabled workers and their families. 100% of all donation funds are put directly to work for those who need it most.
Since 2009, NAIDW.org has been the official workers' rights & disability benefits website for all workers. We are proud to have served millions of workers and their families in their time of need, providing them with easy, online access to information and eligibility criteria for local, State and Federal benefit and assistance programs.
Our mission remains the same as it was when we began: reduce the time and difficulty of injured & disabled workers and their families searching for resources while increasing access to support and benefit information.
The site’s core function is the community support groups and forums, a tool that allows workers to interact with other injured & disabled workers as well as service providers, and industry professionals who are also dedicated to our cause.
The Realities of Injury, illness, chronic pain, disability and death!
Did you know that, every second, a worker is injured in the United States—a country where most families live paycheck to paycheck? In fact, 50% of all home foreclosures occur as a result of income loss after disability. Yet, Workers' Compensation benefits only pay 66% of your lost income, which might not be so bad if you are one of the lucky ones who's claim is not being disputed and denied! And if that wasen't bad enough, social security disability benefits only pay about 33% of your lost income. And as if that weren’t hard enough, these vital benefits are denied to injured & disabled workers over 60% of the time.
The raw statistics are always startling, In 2009, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,340 workers were killed on the job—an average of 12 workers every day—and an estimated 50,000 died from occupational diseases. More than 4.1 million work-related injuries and illnesses were reported, but this number understates the problem. The true toll of job injuries is two to three times greater—about 8 million to 12 million job injuries and illnesses each year.
And the cost in dollars alone?
The cost of job injuries and illnesses is enormous—estimated at $159 billion to $318 billion a year for direct and indirect costs of disabling injuries.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 116 million American adults and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatment and lost productivity.
- Source: IOM - It is estimated that 20 MILLION AMERICANSare stricken by Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders. Worldwide the estimates can be staggering. Recently a demographics expert suggested that between 23-28 million individuals are now suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME worldwide.
- Source: P.A.N.D.O.R.A.
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What’s more is that injury, illness, pain and disability doesn’t just affect income; it damages relationships within families and drains the joy from our lives. The physical and emotional effects of this stress and isolation lead to depression and mental illness. With no way to earn a living, and no support for our cause, how are we expected to survive?
The world looks down on people who have been injured or disabled, assuming that we are lazy, or taking advantage of the system. Insurance companies have shaped this stigma through decades of similar claims. As a result, injured or disabled people feel completely alone.
Join NAIDW and start the process of recovery. We know what you’re going through and what you need to pull through, because we are injured & disabled workers ourselves. Get the help and information you need to put the pieces of your life back together. Through the community of vital support and resources, you can take a step toward change.
Benefits of Free Membership:
The NAIDW Directory
Our professional directory offers quick access to service providers who are dedicated to helping injured & disabled workers and their families. And many providers offer discounted services up to 20% for NAIDW members.
The NAIDW National Discount Drug Card
NAIDW's National Drug Card, was created to help people with little or no prescription drug insurance to save money on their prescription drugs. This includes, but is not limited to, injured & disabled workers and their families, veterans, senior citizens, on fixed incomes and Medicare; self-employed business-people who have to pay their own medical costs; families; college students; and those who have recently lost their jobs and benefits and may be struggling financially.
Additionally, many people who have prescription benefits use our card to receive discounts on drugs not covered by their prescription plan (e.g. dermatology, elective procedures, weight loss, anti-smoking, and hormone therapy drugs).
Our Free Discount Prescription Card can save 10% - 85% on all FDA approved brand-name and generic drugs. The card can be used at over 58.000 pharmacies nationwide including:
CVS, WALGREENS, RITE-AID, WAL-MART, TARGET, KROGER, K-MART, PUBLIX, SAFEWAY, COSTCO, SAMS and many more including local independent pharmacies and regional chains.
NAIDW is proud to provide our FREE prescription drug card to millions of people across the country to help them reduce their healthcare costs. We hope this money savings card will benefit you, your family and friends.
If you are a injured or disabled worker or a family member, you know how difficult it is to find the help you need. The lack of resources and support can turn your life into a shell of what it once was. But you don’t have to fight this alone. We connect people who have experienced a injury, illness, pain, disability and death first hand. We understand what you’re going through: the frustration, fear, and hopelessness. But here, you will unite with a community of peers and professionals who have joined together to fight back. “
We believe our ideas can change the world, and we want to let other people know how they can join in and make all of our lives better.” – Jon A. Arbay, Executive Director & Founder of NAIDW®
Warmest Regards,
Jon A. Arbay
Volunteer Executive Director
"No Workers' Left Behind"®
NAIDW: 43912 N. 50th Ln Phoenix, AZ 85087
Telephone: 888.788.NAIDW(6243)
Fax: 623.455.8678
Contact Form: Can We HELP?