Americans With Disabilities Act

What Does Americans With Disabilities Act Mean?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against American citizens with physical or mental disabilities in all areas of life, including employment, education, and insurance. On the employment side, the ADA works alongside state workers compensation rules, which cover injuries and illnesses tied directly to the job.

Insuranceopedia Explains Americans With Disabilities Act

Disability was first addressed in 1954 by Social Security when it allowed retirement and survivor benefits for people who became disabled. In 1956, regular benefits were extended to individuals with disabilities. In 1996, disability benefits were withheld for individuals whose disabilities resulted from drug addiction or alcoholism.

To qualify for disability benefits, a person must meet the requirements for disability insurance. Due to the high volume of applicants, it typically takes Social Security five months to review and approve an application. Once approved, benefits are provided six months after the application is submitted. Because that waiting period leaves a long gap with no income, many workers also carry a private disability insurance policy to replace part of their paycheck while they wait.