Most people never plan to apply for Social Security disability benefits for illness or injury. Thinking realistically, why would anyone ever plan to be injured or ill for a prolonged period of time and for it to negatively impact their ability to work? SSD benefits exist in order to help those who have become unable to work due to their illness or injury. However, these benefits must be sought out and are not just automatically given to the person who needs them.
One of the biggest factors affecting whether a person is qualified for Social Security disability benefits for illness or injury is time. If a person has been out of work due to their injury or illness for a year or more, this is the time threshold when one can seriously consider their SSD benefits options. The medical severity of a person’s illness or injury plays a huge role in whether benefits are approved. Beyond a person’s health, the person should also share within the application, the specific duties of a person’s job and how these two factors tie together and make working impossible.
Connecting work duties with illness or injury can help paint a clearer picture of how the two would make it difficult for a person to work. Since application for SSD benefits is granted to those who are unable to work due to illness or injury, this is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. No one wants to be disabled, however, benefits are available for those that qualify. Meeting the requirements is important but also one needs to be able to connect the dots of disability and work requirements.
For people disabled less than one year, but are anticipating seeking benefits at the one year mark, it’s never too soon to learn about the application process. Understanding what will be required of yourself or a loved one when applying for SSD benefits can make the process easier as you know what to anticipate. In theory, a person could accumulate everything they need for the application, only to apply on the one year mark. Approval will not happen overnight, but it could be the fastest way to receive benefits due to disability.
Source: logandaily.com, “Social Security: One fact you should know about disability,” Nov 7, 2017