Every day, all of us face risks of being injured to the point of being temporarily or permanently disabled. With a disabling condition, our jobs will be affected because of our absence. In the worst cases, we may not be able to return to work anymore. Without a job, how can we fund our needs?
We can apply for a monthly disability benefit from the Social Security Administration. This is either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The type of injury or condition you have will determine which of the two can you be qualified for. To apply, you can get assistance from lawyers who assist their clients in claiming disability benefits.
Conditions That Can Lead to Disability
The leading causes of disability are arthritis, back pain, heart disease, cancer, depression, and diabetes.
Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions make up 1/3 of all disability cases. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 3 people report that having arthritis affects their ability to do their jobs. Meanwhile, musculoskeletal conditions like bad backs, bones that aren’t mended, and bad hips are also top causes of disability.
Heart disease, stroke, and cancer gravely limit one’s ability to work, especially while one undergoes cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In fact, cancer is the fastest-growing reason for filing a Social Security disability claim in Utah and many other states.
Depression and other mental health issues can also be crippling, making sufferers face difficulties at work. Poor mental health is actually the top reason for filing Social Security disability.
Lastly, diabetes also makes its sufferers unable to work, with the disease being linked to heart disease and other serious health problems.
Social Security Disability Insurance
This Social Security program insures workers in case they develop conditions that make them unable to work. Social Security taxes will be deducted from each paycheck, and a portion of this tax becomes your monetary contribution to the SSDI program.
Workers with a qualifying disability can apply for SSDI benefits, so they can have a source of monthly income during the course of their disability.
Work history and wages earned from all jobs will decide how much income you’ll receive from the SSDI. To qualify, you must earn a sufficient number of work credits first. Work credits are the points you have collected from earning wages and paying off Social Security taxes. The general rule is that at least 20 credits should’ve been earned 10 years prior to becoming disabled and if 40 or more credits have been earned. But if you become injured at a young age, amendments can be made.
You must also not be receiving a regular paycheck to qualify, because this implies that you aren’t truly disabled. To be deemed disabled, you must be diagnosed with a serious long-term medical condition that forces you to stop working, like those previously mentioned. In addition, you must also be unable to perform a job you’re qualified for.
Supplemental Security Income
If you have a disabling condition, low income, limited resources, or you are at least 65 years of age, you can be qualified to receive SSI benefits. Unlike the SSDI, your work history won’t be relevant in this program.
Beneficiaries of this program receive a fixed amount based on the federal benefit rate. To qualify, one should be legally blind, aged, or disabled. Your income should be low; the maximum monthly benefit of $750 can be reduced per excess of the acceptable countable income if you won’t become ineligible. As for assets, they should be less than $2,000 in value for individuals, while for couples, it shouldn’t exceed $3,000.
Basically, these programs provide monthly income to anyone who is qualified, which is important for their welfare. These programs can raise their morale in spite of their crippling conditions.