Important Financial Information to Individuals with Disabilities, Parents, and Professionals

Like many individuals, not being able to pay bills, save money for the future, and just living from day to day is a concern for anyone in these hard economic times. However, for individuals with disabilities who are unable to work because of their disabilities, having enough income to pay medical bills and live from day to day is a huge fear. This week’s blog is a resource for individuals with disabilities and their families on ways to financially plan, the benefits of SSI and SSDI, and any questions regarding financial issues.

Resources

1) The Ins and Outs of SSI and SSDI
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/
This website provides ample information that is easy to understand for all readers on the details of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Disability Programs. The website indicates that these programs are, “the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.” This government websites provides links that allow for individuals to assess their eligibility for the program and has a Disability Starter Kit for individuals under the age of 18 that includes a benefits planner, a checklist, and a worksheet that allows for each individual to organize their information. This is an excellent site for individuals with disabilities and their families in understanding the extensive details of government social security programs, so that no one is left behind.

2) Frequently Asked Questions regarding Financial Planning and Social Security Income for Individuals with Disabilities
http://www.socialsecurityhome.com/resources.htm

This website is excellent in that it provides answers to numerous frequently asked questions regarding supplemental security income and financial planning for individuals with disabilities and their families. The following are several questions that are located on this website: What are the Benefits of receiving Supplemental Security Income?, What is Supplemental Security Income?, How does Social Security determine if someone is disabled? and so on. The answers are thorough, detailed, and guarantees that any individual will have the answers to make proactive, financial decisions regarding their future.

Books/Sources

1) Life Planning for Adults With Developmental Disabilities: A Guide for Parents And Family Members by: Judith Greenbaum
A much-needed resource for parents, family, and caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities like Down's syndrome, fragile X, and autism, this book offers resources and planning tools for helping the developmentally disabled adult build skills in employment, education, relationships, independent living, and finances.

2) Nolo’s Guide to Social Security Disability by: David A. Morton III
Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability is an essential book for anyone dealing with a long-term or permanent disability. Written both for first-time applicants and existing recipients of Social Security disability, the book demystifies the program and tells you everything you need to know about qualifying and applying for benefits, maintaining your benefits and appealing the denial of a claim. This comprehensive guide also explains:
 what Social Security disability is
 what benefits are available to disabled children
 how to prove a disability
 how age, education and work experience affect benefits
 whether or not one can work while receiving benefits
 how to appeal a denial of benefits
 how to respond to a Continuing Disability Review
 and much more