Residual disability
Residual disability is a type of disability, when a person is capable of executing some of his or her important duties [1]. Residual disability is also defined as inability of performing some duties of one's occupation or at least inability to execute these functions as often as able-bodied worker. Residual disability is conjugate with a percentage of workers' pre-disability income. In other words, residual disability is a benefit which ensures the coverage for any partially disabled person based on their loss of income due to their inability to work at full capacity[2]. The benefit is calculated according to the sum of total income a worker has lost due to his inability to work. The benefit is also paid when an employee can work part-time instead of full-time. Residual disability also administers the protection of salary lost due to disability and is adapted to the previous amount of salary.
Residual disability rider
In most cases, to claim residual disability rider, disabled person has to experience at least a loss of 20% of income or more due to his or her disability. What is more, when a worker loses more than 80% of his salary, it is possible to claim 100% of his monthly disability benefit [3]. In some cases, a worker has to go through[4]:
- A qualification period which points out a particular amount of days that must antedate the period of reduced disability.
- Elimination period which means that before the benefits are applied, some amount of time has to elapse. This appertains to the total days since the disability occurred. Most typical elimination periods are: 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 365 days.
Examples of Residual disability
- Paraplegia: Paraplegia is a type of residual disability in which a person has paralysis of the lower half of the body. This may be due to an injury or a medical condition, such as a stroke or spinal cord injury. Paraplegia can lead to difficulties in walking, standing, and balance.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI is a type of residual disability that affects a person’s cognitive, physical, and psychological functioning. TBI can lead to problems with memory, concentration, communication, coordination, and physical functioning.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is a type of residual disability that affects the central nervous system. It can lead to difficulty in walking, balance, coordination, and speech.
- Loss of Limbs: Loss of limbs can be a type of residual disability. When an individual loses a limb, they may have difficulty performing physical tasks and may require the use of a prosthetic limb or wheelchair.
- Hearing Loss: Hearing loss is another type of residual disability. It can affect a person’s ability to communicate and can lead to difficulty in understanding spoken language.
Advantages of Residual disability
Residual disability has several advantages for those who have it:
- It allows individuals with disabilities to participate in society and to have a better quality of life. With the right support, individuals with residual disabilities can still lead a meaningful life, despite any limitations they may have.
- It also provides financial assistance to those with disabilities. Disability benefits are available to individuals with disabilities that prevent them from working, and this can be a great help to people with residual disabilities.
- It can also provide emotional support to those with residual disabilities. Having a support system in place, such as friends and family, can help individuals with residual disabilities cope with any difficulties they may encounter.
- Residual disability can also give individuals a greater sense of independence. With the right tools and support, individuals with residual disabilities can still lead an independent and fulfilling life.
Limitations of Residual disability
Residual disability can have a profound effect on a person's life, limiting their ability to perform important duties. The list of limitations of residual disability includes:
- Loss of income: People with residual disability may not be able to work full-time, or may be unable to work at all, resulting in a loss of income.
- Increased medical costs: People with residual disability may require additional medical care or treatment to help manage their disability, resulting in increased medical costs.
- Limited mobility: People with residual disability may be limited in their mobility, making it difficult to participate in activities they once could.
- Difficulty finding employment: Due to their disability, people with residual disability may have difficulty finding employment, as employers may view them as less capable than able-bodied individuals.
- Physical pain: People with residual disability may experience physical pain due to the effects of their disability, which can be difficult to manage.
- Mental strain: People with residual disability may experience emotional strain due to the limitations of their disability, which can be difficult to cope with.
Residual disability can be approached from different perspectives and can be understood as a reduction in capacity for an individual to carry out certain tasks. This can include:
- Reduction in physical strength or dexterity - This could be due to injuries or illnesses which cause a lack of function in certain parts of the body which may then lead to reduced capacity for certain activities.
- Reduction in mental abilities - This could be caused by conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or other degenerative mental illnesses. This can lead to reduced comprehension, difficulty in communication, and difficulty in problem solving.
- Reduced ability to carry out certain activities - This can be due to a number of causes including age-related conditions, physical disabilities, and mental disabilities. This could lead to reduced capacity to carry out certain activities, such as mobility, or even work-related tasks.
In summary, residual disability can be approached from different angles, including a reduction in physical and mental abilities, and a reduced ability to carry out certain activities. All of these can have a significant impact on an individual's capacity to function in daily life and should be taken into account when assessing disability.
Footnotes
Residual disability — recommended articles |
Hardship clause — Deterministic effect — Alternative staffing — Internal transfers — Stochastic effect — Marston model — Negative reinforcement — Tertiary beneficiary — Substandard risk |
References
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- Meyer B., Wallace K.C. Mok., (2019)., Disability, earnings, income and consumption. Journal of Public Economics 171, 51-69.
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- Ormel J., Oldehinkel T., Brilman E., (1993)., Outcome of Depression and Anxiety in Primary Care. A Three-Wave 31/2-Year Study of Psychopathology and Disability. Arch Gen Psychiatry, vol. 50.
- Ostir G. V. (Ed.), (1998)., Lower Body Functioning as a Predictor of Subsequent Disability Among Older Mexican Americans. Journal of Gerontology, Vol. 53A. No. 6.
- Rattiner J., (2009)., Financial Planning Answer Book. CCH, Chicago, Illinois, p. 3.46
- Roth E. J., (ed.), (2011)., Increased Residual Disability Among Poststroke Survivors and the Repercussions. Top Stroke Rehabil, Belgium.
Author: Michał Sznurkowski