70 Years

of Social Security
Disability Insurance

70 Years

of Social Security
Disability Insurance

70 Years

of Social Security
Disability Insurance

70 Years

of Social Security
Disability Insurance

1 in 4 20-year-old workers will become disabled before reaching retirement age.*

1 in 4 20-year-old workers will become disabled before reaching retirement age.*

Since 1956, Social Security Disability Insurance has helped millions hold on to what they've worked for when life takes a hard turn.

*Source: SSA, Publication EN-05-10029

Before 1956, if a health problem kept you from working, you were on your own.

Before 1956, if a health problem kept you from working, you were on your own.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) changed that. Funded through payroll taxes, SSDI is a social benefit earned paycheck by paycheck that is designed to protect hardworking Americans when they can no longer continue to work due to injury or illness. Run by the social security administration, the program protects millions of American families when health problems threaten their income–because everyone deserves a safety net when things go wrong.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) changed that. Funded through payroll taxes, SSDI is a social benefit earned paycheck by paycheck that is designed to protect hardworking Americans when they can no longer continue to work due to injury or illness. Run by the Social Security Administration, the program protects millions of American families when health problems threaten their income–because everyone deserves a safety net when things go wrong.

*Source: SSA.gov

Swipe left to reveal the timeline

Roughly 8.1M people benefit from the SSDI program.

2026

1956

1956

SSDI is formally signed into law.

Congress enacted the disability "freeze".

1954

1940

1940

Ida May Fuller becomes Social Security’s first beneficiary.

Ernest Ackerman received Social Security’s 1st lump-sum payment.

1937

The original Social Security Act was signed into law.

1935

Disability benefits change lives.

Disability benefits
change lives.

We asked our clients what getting approved for SSDI has meant to them.

Gregory M.

1. Winning benefits provided financial stability and independence. 2. Reduced stress allowed me to focus on my health. 3. I felt validated and supported by the community.

Debra

I had become unable to work due to a few different things but primarily due to having seizures which left my unable to work or drive anymore. I lost my job that I had been employed at for almost 20 years and the long term disability, which was my only income. It took 1½ years to get my DDSI approved but when it was, I had my independence back. I was no longer depending on family for everything I needed to live. It changed my life for the better and I don't know what I would have done or where I would be today without it.

Erik

If I didnt qualify for social security and disability I wouldn't be here in a literal sence. Most insurance policies were costing me upward of 90% of my income when I was still able to work and this was union work where I was making 60-80k a year. Most my meds were priced at an entire paycheck each and I had close to a dozen prescriptions. I sat down one time and worked it out and my highest grosing year it would take 3 months pay for 1 month of treatments. And that was while I was still able to work.

Martin

The SSD program has been nothing short of miraculous in my life. It has meant the difference of being short every month, to having the necessary resources to cover monthly living expenses. Navigating the application process by myself bordered on the impossible, but Atticus was with me every step of the way. I am forever grateful for their assistance and caring attitude.

At Atticus, we are dedicated
to helping Americans win the benefits they need.

At Atticus, we are dedicated
to helping Americans win the benefits they need.

At Atticus, we are dedicated to helping Americans win the benefits they need.

Here are the stories of clients we have helped in their disability journeys.

This lady answered the phone, and the only thing I can say, she was so good of a person, so professional, so lovely with their clients that I was amazed. I really was amazed.

— Gabriel D., Atticus Client

This lady answered the phone, and the only thing I can say, she was so good of a person, so professional, so lovely with their clients that I was amazed. I really was amazed.

— Gabriel D., Atticus Client

You just made it so easy for me, and I can’t thank you enough for it. I really can’t. It took a lot of pressure and a lot of stress off of a situation that has a lot of stress.

— Kim M., Atticus Client

You just made it so easy for me, and I can’t thank you enough for it. I really can’t. It took a lot of pressure and a lot of stress off of a situation that has a lot of stress.

— Kim M., Atticus Client

I would have probably been fired. I wouldn’t have been able to keep up. So yeah, you guys really gave me my life back, and I appreciate it.

— Joann W., Atticus Client

If you or someone you love is in too much pain to continue working, we can help.

If you or someone you love is in too much pain to continue working, we can help.

Learn more about the mission at Atticus.

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