Social Security Disability (SSD) beneficiaries have been significantly impacted by inflation in recent years. According to a study conducted in June 2023, approximately 59% of SSD beneficiaries have noted an increase in the prices of disability-related goods and services. Many have also reduced their spending on food in order to accommodate these costs. On average, beneficiaries spend $4,412 annually on disability-related expenses, with 82% mentioning out-of-pocket expenses. With these increased costs, 25% of the SSD beneficiaries admitted to taking on debt, while 43% found the recent cost-of-living adjustments insufficient for sustaining their living standards.

Medical expenses make up 15% of the SSD beneficiaries’ expenditure, which is double the percentage for an average consumer. Such findings were derived from a unique survey tool developed to explore extra disability-related spending in ten categories. SSD beneficiaries also spend more on food, general expenses, and transportation costs compared to average consumers.

To mitigate the effects of inflation on SSD beneficiaries, the researchers proposed measures such as formulating a disability-specific measure of spending, with a higher weighting on medical costs. The research suggests that a targeted approach of raising the prescription and over-the-counter medication costs covered by disability-related insurance programs could potentially reduce the out-of-pocket costs endured by the disability program beneficiaries.

If you need to contact SSD about your benefits or the status of your claim, you can find relevant information on how to speak to someone at edd disability at the website, eddcaller.com. They provide comprehensive guides on how to navigate the phone systems and reach a live EDD representative for your inquiries.