Disabilities can threaten people's abilities to meet basic needs

March 06, 2013 (Press-News.org) In difficult economic times, it can be a challenge for people to make ends meet. It can be even harder for those with disabilities to make enough money to provide for themselves and their families. A January 2013 study conducted by a federal agency showed that disability often plays a role in "food insecurity."

Food insecurity

When an adult in a home has a disability, it can be difficult for families to afford basic necessities. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, almost 15 percent of the household in the U.S. had trouble getting enough to eat in 2011. The USDA uses the term "food insecurity" to describe the situation where one or more members of a household do not get sufficient food because of lack of financial or other resources.

The USDA notes that food insecurity is caused by either low income or high expenses. Those with disabilities often have both disproportionately high expenses resulting from medical needs and low incomes from limited ability to work. The USDA's Economic Research Service examined data from the U.S. Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Survey to see how disabilities impacted people's economic status and, in turn, food security.

Researchers found that households with one or more adults kept out of the workplace due to a disability experienced food insecurity more frequently than households without disabled adults. The study showed that 33 percent of those households were food insecure in 2010. The study also revealed that households with adults who had disabilities that did not keep them out of the workforce completely were more likely to struggle with food insecurity than households with no disabled adults. Researchers found that 25 percent of those households were food insecure in 2010. These figures are significantly higher than the 12 percent of households with no disabled adults in it that were food insecure in 2010.

Disability benefits may help

Those who are disabled and cannot work, or those who are limited in the work that they can do because of a disability, may want to consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits to help ensure that they can meet basic needs such as food, clothing and housing. The Social Security Administration considers a disability to be a condition that prevents a person from doing the work he or she did previously, will not allow a person to do different work and is expected to last for at least a year or result in death. If a person's condition meets the SSA's definition of disability, then he or she may qualify for disability benefits.

Speak with an attorney

Obtaining Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated. The application process is complex and requires extensive documentation. In many cases, a person's application is rejected. If you are considering applying for Social Security benefits, speak with an experienced Social Security attorney who can help you navigate the process and increase your chances of successfully getting benefits.

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