I just got back from a Social Security
Disability Law conference in Seattle, Washington. During my stay in the Pacific Northwest, I
had the opportunity to share my experiences as a disability attorney with other
colleagues and continue to learn about the ever more complex SSI and SSDI
process. I came back thoroughly
convinced of how important the Social Security Disability Programs are for our
Latino Community, particularly those over 50.
Never before in history has the U.S.
contained so many older people. Today,
one out of every 9 Americans is "old"—another former youth turns 50
every 8 seconds. January 2011 ushered in
the first of approximately 77 million Baby Boomers, born from 1946 through 1964
and surging toward the gates of retirement.
Latinos, in particular, make up the fastest segment of this aging
population. An article published by the Washington State
University concluded that: “Elderly Hispanics now represent the fastest-growing
population currently at or near retirement.”
By 2050, Hispanics will make up 20 percent of the elderly population, up
from 7 percent in 2010, according to Census data.
As we age, our chances of becoming disabled and unable to work
increase. For example, a fifty year old
person is twice more likely to become disabled than a 40 year old. The chances become even greater in persons
who have performed physical labor throughout their life --the type of work most
commonly found by our forefathers when they came to this country. Given these
figures, it is easy to understand why so many Latino(a)s who are between the
ages of 50 and 65 need the safety net provided by the Social Security Disability
programs (SSI / SSDI).
As I enjoyed the great apples from Yakima Valley and sipped the
wonderful wines of Walla Walla County, I was reminded of the many Latino(a)
workers who have thrown their backs and busted their knees working in farms in
Washington State and across the
U.S. Now, it is our moral obligation to
support those who can no longer work as a result of a medical condition or
injury.
