Anyone in West Virginia with a serious disability knows just how important disability benefits are, but there is new data emerging that says that people who live in rural areas are more likely to apply for and receive disability benefits than people in large, metropolitan areas. One reason why rural communities rely so heavily on government benefits programs is because the cost of living outside of a large city is substantially less than living in a major metropolitan area.

Of the West Virginia residents who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income, most collect an average of $1,000 each month. With little more money coming in, it is often easier for individuals with disabilities to minimize their living costs by moving to more rural areas. In order to afford medications, doctor visits and therapies, many people with disabilities must reduce their costs elsewhere.

Another reason why there are higher percentages of people needing disability benefits in the Appalachians is because of the poor access to health care. Rural communities may not be able to provide the medical services needed to care for physical or mental health conditions, forcing individuals to travel long distances to hospitals or cities that can treat their conditions.

While this data shows that there are higher occurrences of disability in more rural locations, there are people living with disabilities across West Virginia. Whether someone lives in a more remote location or in Charleston, he or she should have equal access to government disability benefits if he or she is unable to work. For those who believe their medical conditions prevent them from working, it is important to contact a disability benefits attorney to start a disability benefits application.

Source: The Kansas City Star, "Rural communities have strongest reliance on disability benefits," Rick Montgomery, Jan. 29, 2012