Impact of the SSDI Application Process on Applicants, Caregivers and Families

Caregivers and families can experience both unexpected support as well as frustrations when their loved one applies for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. On the one hand, each family member (including a spouse, divorced spouse, children, and adult children disabled before age 22) may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to 50 percent of your disability benefit amount. Yet caregivers and families may experience emotional pain when their loved ones must wait for their SSDI application to be approved. Chris O'Connor, General Counsel and Co-Founder at Citizens Disability, will walk listeners through the highs and lows of the application process, especially as it pertains to family members and caregivers. Chris oversees client advocacy at Citizens Disability and has been a trial advocate for 20 years. He tried cases in all levels of state court and represented thousands of injured people before various administrative agencies that assess disability, including the Social Security Administration. Carol Harnett, president of The Council for Disability Awareness, will host the discussion.