What would your family do if you suffered a disability and couldn’t work? Could they maintain their standard of living, or would they struggle to cover daily expenses? Unfortunately, common misconceptions about disabilities can be costly. Understand seven disability facts to reduce the risks that come with misconceptions.
The reality: Qualifying for benefits can be difficult and time-consuming. SSDI is reserved for people who are severely disabled by a condition that significantly limits their “ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering — for at least 12 months.”1 Approval is typically a slow process — often taking over 200 days for Social Security disability approvals.1
Also, keep in mind that if the applicant is unable to do the work they did previously, the Social Security Administration will evaluate if they can do another type of work. The claim will be denied if it’s decided they can perform other work.2
The average monthly benefit amount awarded from SSDI was approximately $1,700.3 Could your family survive financially at this rate?
The reality: While injuries are a cause of disability, they’re not the leading cause.4 Instead, illnesses and chronic health conditions cause the most common disabilities. Arthritis, the most common cause, affects 24 million Americans.5 Some other conditions include cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, digestive system disorders, metabolic disorders, pregnancy, blood-related disorders and mental illness.6
The reality: More than 78% of Americans say it would be difficult to meet current financial obligations if their next paycheck was delayed for a week, and more than 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck have $2,000 or less in savings.7 Adults living with a disability are more likely than those without a disability to report owing medical debt,8 and job losses and health problems are some of the most common reasons people file for bankruptcy.9 Becoming disabled could result in missed paychecks and medical debt, potentially leaving your family with strained finances.
The reality: The average duration of a long-term disability claim is over 34 months.10 Some disabilities, such as those caused by a chronic health condition, can last a lifetime.
The reality: Workers’ compensation only applies to work-related injuries. It would not cover a car accident on your way to work or arthritis that makes it difficult to use the tools required for the job.
Misconception #6: Others will help provide for me and my family until I’m back on my feet.
The reality: One of the biggest blessings in church life is your church family. In the event of a disability, those around you — your ministry colleagues, congregation and loved ones — will likely offer support early on. They may bring meals, do yard work or provide rides to health appointments. However, disabilities can be lengthy, and resources may be stretched too thin to sustain the level of support you’ll need.
The reality: Disability statistics show otherwise based on the number of people with disabilities in the U.S. More than one in four adults in the U.S. have some type of disability11, and approximately 9 million people are receiving Social Security disability benefits.12
If you become disabled and need to spend time away from work, disability coverage (short- or long-term) replaces some of your income. It can help protect your paycheck, your active role in ministry and your family’s financial future.
At GuideStone®, we help you find more ways to strengthen your finances, whether you need to save money on prescriptions, eat healthy on a budget or protect your family with life coverage. For more information, contact us at Insurance@GuideStone.org or 1-844-INS-GUIDE (1-844-467-4843), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
GuideStone welcomes the opportunity to share this general information. However, this article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
1USAFacts.org/data-projects/disability-benefit-wait-time
2SSA.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html
3SSA.gov/oact/STATS/dib-g3.html
4DisabilityCanHappen.org/common-causes
5CDC.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/relatedconditions.html
6DisabilityCanHappen.org/public_html/wp-content/themes/cdadev/CDA_SurveryCharts_DiagChart2.pdf
7Forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024
8HealthSystemTracker.org/brief/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states
9ABI.org/feed-item/the-3-most-common-reasons-why-people-file-bankruptcy
10DisabilityCanHappen.org/overview
11CDC.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html
12SSA.gov/disabilityfacts/facts.html
Article 