Resources

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Information on disability benefits from 22 federal agencies can be found at www.Disability.gov. The site also offers a new state and local resources map to make it easier for visitors to find information in the states and communities where they live. DisabilityInfo.gov also offers a free subscription service allowing users to sign up to receive DisabilityInfo.gov Connection, the site’s quarterly newsletter, as well as e-mail alerts on new information in their states. To subscribe, visit http://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=USODEP.

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The Social Security Administration offers a no-cost online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool at www.best.ssa.gov that will indicate eligibility for Medicare, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income and other benefit programs. The agency also has an Adult Disability Starter Kit available online at www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_adult_eng.htm or by calling (800) 772-1213.

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To find a private provider of disability insurance, check with your insurance agent or find a listing of providers at www.yourincomeatrisk.org, a website designed by America’s Health Insurance Plans, a national association of the insurance industry.

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The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, a non-profit organization supported by the insurance industry, has a website explaining the process of buying disability insurance; see www.life-line.org.

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The Consumer Federation of America has a brochure explaining long-term disability insurance and a checklist to compare offers at www.consumerfed.org. Go to “publications” and look for “Long-Term Disability Insurance.”