Inclusion Ignites Ideas

Social Security Disability Benefits Include Protections for Returning to Work

By Steve Perrigo Editor’s Note: When you’re approved for Social Security Disability Income benefits by the Social Security Administration, you receive monthly financial payments (upon approval) and Medicare (after 24 months). A secondary benefit of SSDI is the ability to participate in the Ticket to Work program that allows beneficiaries of SSDI to return to…

How disability insurance protected my family and finances

Discovering the Real Value of Employer-Provided Benefits

One spring evening, around 8:00pm, my husband, my six-year-old son, my newborn son, and I were headed home after getting dinner. I don’t remember anything else from that night. My name is Emily, and I’ve worked at IBI for five years, assisting with all aspects of Social Security claims. Daily, I’d interact with dozens of…

Worker and family relaxing outside together. Plan. Prepare. Protect.

Federal Disability Insurance Provides Critical Protection to Millions of American Workers

By Steve Perrigo Editor’s Note: It would surprise many employees to know they already have access to disability coverage. If you’ve paid FICA taxes for five of the last 10 years, your Social Security Disability Insurance policy is paid up. Two years into a pandemic and the changing economy and Great Resignation forced U.S. employees…

Disabled woman applying for social security disability insurance benefits online

How the Pandemic is Impacting Your SSDI Application

By Matthew Imhoff The Social Security Administration made changes to the Social Security Disability Insurance application and hearing processes during the pandemic. This podcast transcript summary reviews the impact of these changes — many of which are positive.   The Social Security Administration was not immune to COVID-19. Like every other aspect of life that…

Social Security Act 2100, Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Social Security Act 2100: Unlikely to Pass, but a Step in the Right Direction

By Michael Mattison     There’s been a lot of buzz around the industry about the recently introduced Social Security Act 2100. If passed, this bill would:   Eliminate the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits Provide caregiver credits for individuals that left the workforce to care for children or other dependents Extend student benefits…

Mature woman accessing the Social Security Administration online portal: Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

The Positive Impact of COVID-19 on the Social Security Administration

By Michael Mattison Editor’s Note: The Social Security Administration was not immune to COVID-19. Like every other aspect of life that changed with the pandemic, the SSA needed to pivot in order to serve the public.  While this was a daunting task, the organization transitioned into an almost entirely remote workforce over the span of…

Young woman recovering from Covid-19 at home: Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

COVID-19: Proving The Value of SSDI to American Workers

By Steve Perrigo Editor’s Note: The far-reaching effects of a global virus mean employees with disabilities need Social Security Disability Insurance benefits more than ever. Thankfully, awareness is growing.   Significant health impacts halted work for many American workers – some estimates reach 11 million – and it’s leading to a search for answers. The…

Labor Market Signals U.S. Employers To Embrace Hiring People with Disabilities

Labor Market Signals U.S. Employers To Embrace Hiring People with Disabilities

By LeighAnn Jarry Editor’s Note: Employers seeking to expand their workforce are encountering challenges due to the tight labor market. Despite offering generous benefits and higher compensation, it is difficult to find employees. But there is a virtually untapped pool of applicants – people with disabilities. Now is exactly the right time for employers to…

Protecting Those With Disabilities Against COVID-19 Variants

How We Can Protect Those With Disabilities Against COVID-19 Variants

As much as all of us just want the pandemic to go away, the COVID-19 variants have added more complications to consider. Among these are the ways we can go about keeping individuals with disabilities and vulnerabilities safe as the variants spread.   At this point, over half of Americans have been vaccinated, but unfortunately,…

At-risk populations

How COVID-19 Highlighted Ways We Can Improve Social Services

For decades, asset limits have presented difficulties for individuals with disabilities. These limitations across public assistance programs often lock individuals out of better opportunities. In the face of the coronavirus and its devastating economic consequences, these limitations have been particularly troubling. For example, 60.5% of households where a person with a disability resides are considered…