A Brief History On Social Security Disability

In honor of the most notable day in our nation’s history – Independence Day, let’s take a look back at how one of the most well-known government programs – much like our country itself – has evolved over time.

The stock market crash of 1929 was so catastrophic is was named “Black Monday.” This crash was the beginning of one of the worse economic depressions in our country’s history. In response to the depression, President Roosevelt and his advisors crafted The New Deal, which was a set of programs, projects, and reforms enacted to boost an economic recovery.

FDR’s Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins, was the first to champion “Social Security” and in her position as chairwoman of the President’s Committee on Economic Security ensured the steady progression of policies that would become The Social Security Act of 1935.

When it was enacted, the Social Security Act was referred to as OASI – Old-Age and Survivors Insurance – and only provided insurance by ways of pensions, unemployment insurance, and welfare benefits for persons who were handicapped and children in need. Today it is known as the OASDI program of the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Disability Insurance Program was enacted nearly 20 years later in 1956 by President Eisenhower, and provided monthly benefits only to disabled workers between the ages of 50 and 65 who met insured status.

Much has evolved since the establishment of the SSA’s Disability Insurance Program over the last 60+years: in 1974 the Supplemental Security Income Program was put into effect to standardize resource requirements and distribution to those who were unable to work, the age range for people entitled to benefits has expanded, the qualifications for insured status have been refined, and throughout it’s history, billions of people who have not been able to work have gotten assistance.

Over the next months, the team at Kapor Davis & Associates, hopes to give you more insight into the Social Security Administration, and help you untangle some of the more complicated steps in the process, so that you as an applicant (or as a supporter of an applicant), can navigate the course of your claim with confidence and understanding.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about applying for disability benefits or about any step in the process, give the team at Kapor Davis & Associates a call, and we can help you work through it.

Enjoy your 4th of July Celebrations!