The ratio of people collecting disability insurance in the US to those working nearly quadrupled from 1967 and 2012. In 1967, there were 65 times as many workers as there were workers on disability. By 2012, there were 16 people with jobs to every one person on disability. Experts note that standards for receiving disability insurance changed significantly during that time period, with increasing numbers of workers claiming mental illness and chronic pain conditions as disabilities that prevented them from maintaining employment.
More about disability programs in the US:
- Some analysts have blamed the high unemployment rate caused by the 2007 recession for the increase in disability claims. Many workers found themselves out of jobs for long periods of time, creating significant stress, which then caused debilitating mental and physical disabilities.
- As of 2012, disabled workers received 19% of all Social Security payments.
- The US Social Security Administration supports vocational rehabilitation for the disabled through its Ticket To Work program. Participants can receive job assistance and retain partial benefits for a period of time while working. If attempts at obtaining work are not successful, participants can continue to receive full disability benefits.