The number of Social Security Disability filings has increased approximately 20% nationwide over the last year.
The downturn in the economy certainly has influenced this, but the filings vary widely by state.
For instance, in Illinois the increase has only been 6.9%. In Florida and Tennessee the increases have been over 20%. West Virginia has only had a 1.7% increase.
On another subject, the one time stimulus payment of $250 available to most Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are still going to be paid to people who are found disabled after May 2009.