This is one of the most oft-asked questions when it comes to getting benefits.  Many people say that receiving Social Security Disability Insurance dissuades individuals from working once they have the payments in the bank.  To be honest, there have been statistics done on this question: it turns out that out of the population of those who get denied Social Security Disability Insurance, about 50% end up going back to work.  Out of those who receive Social Security Disability payments, about 15% actually get off the program and return to work.

What Does This Mean?

To be honest, any sort of analysis on these figures is really a crapshoot.  The reality of the situation is that many people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance are truly unable to work due to their conditions, and some may never work again if they have serious terminal conditions.  The fact that many are denied disability benefits doesn’t necessarily mean much either – clearly, if 50% of the population that was denied benefits was able to go back to work, then that 50% did not need benefits in the first place.

Even with all of the doom and gloom that currently surrounds the future of Social Security Disability Insurance, be sure to stay alert for fraud.  If you or somebody you know receives SSDI payments, be sure to stay as honest as possible with the process and go back to work if you are able – after all, this is supposed to be a hand up, not a hand out, particularly for those who have the ability to get off of the program!