As Americans continue to find their way out of difficult situations brought on by the recession, certain groups of workers are having a harder time recovering from the financial slump than others. According to the New York Times, many baby boomers who are nearing retirement age are at a disadvantage in getting hired in today's workplace.
Since workers in their 50s and 60s may only work for five or 10 more years, some employers may not think that it is worth investing in these workers. As a result, many workers who may have held stable jobs for decades are now facing difficulty finding secure work and are struggling to make ends meet.
For some of these workers, taking out Social Security benefits earlier may be their way of easing financial difficulties. However, other workers may turn to Social Security disability benefits. Say a worker became disabled years ago and worked for the same employer for many years since becoming disabled. If this worker is laid off, he or she may have a difficult time being hired by a new employer if his or her disability makes performing certain tasks difficult.
Workers in this situation might want to look into applying for Social Security disability benefits. While these benefits most likely will not match a person's previous income, they may make a world of difference in getting by on a daily basis.
Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be quite complicated, though. So, seeking guidance from a legal professional throughout this process may be worthwhile. Since many applications are denied the first time they are submitted, having a person experienced with the Social Security disability benefits system helping with one's application may be very beneficial.
Source: The New York Times, "In hard economy for all ages, older isn't better... it's brutal," Catherine Rampell, Feb. 2, 2013
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