Though we have heard some fairly encouraging employment figures lately, hundreds of thousands of people in Washington State and across the U.S. are unemployed and have been so for months, sometimes years. Many have turned to unemployment benefits to get by, but those benefits do not last forever.

And so, according to a pair of recent studies, many people are applying for Social Security disability benefits when their unemployment benefits run out. The rise in applications has led to a sharp increase in the number of people receiving benefits over the past decade. Since 2002, the number of people receiving SSD benefits has increased 47 percent to 10.6 million. The White House's Council of Economic Advisors estimates that more than 10 percent of people in poverty between ages 50 and 65 apply soon after their unemployment stops.

Though the Social Security Administration is careful to accept only those workers whose illness or injury meets its rigorous standards, some observers worry about the disability benefits program's long-term financial health. Still, in the current economic condition it is clear why people apply for disability benefits when they preferred to get by without them before. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report says that as of November, the average time workers have spent unemployed reached a record 40.9 weeks.

While the number of applications has grown high, those with an injury or illness that leaves them unable to work may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits. Filing an application or appeal can be tricky without the help of a Social Security disability attorney.

Source: Huffington Post, "Social Security Disability Fund A Last Resort For The Unemployed As Benefits Dry Up," Bonnie Kavoussi, Dec. 28, 2011