Do I Qualify for Permanent Disability?
- Posted on: Oct 18 2018
If you’re in an accident, the worst-case scenario for many people is to be so injured that they can no longer work or even handle many of the day-to-day aspects of living. If you’ve been injured and have been told that you will be permanently disabled, you may next be shocked to find your disability application denied. Unfortunately, it can be possible to be disabled in an auto accident or other type of incident and be denied, all because you don’t meet one of the following conditions of being permanently disabled.
The Social Security Administration’s Requirements
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), it’s not enough to simply have your doctor state that you are disabled and back it up with medical proof. First, you have to actually have a certain number of working credits. This means you have to have worked enough to qualify for disability. If you’ve been working for years, that shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re a young person who becomes disabled, however, you may not qualify for SSA disability.
Medical Qualifications
In addition to your work history, you also have to have a condition that is on the SSA’s official list of impairments. If your condition is not on the list, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically disqualified. Instead, the SSA will have to assess your condition and how much it limits your abilities. This means more paperwork, and it’s going to take longer to process your application.
Another qualification is that your condition has to be classified as “severe” and must last for at least another 12 months or result in death. Partial disability or short-term disability does not qualify.
Work Qualifications
Finally, there are two different work qualifications you have to meet. First, your condition has to prevent you from working the job you previously held before you were injured. If it’s determined that you can still do that job or a job in your particular field, you may be denied.
Another work-related qualification is the ability to work at all. If the SSA determines that you simply cannot do any work in any job, you will qualify for disability. They do look at more than your medical condition here. Your age, education, work experience, education, and skills will all factor into this assessment.
Are You Injured?
If you’ve been injured and are seeking medical aid in determining if you are disabled or not, the team at Maximum Orthopedics can help. Contact us today for more information.
Posted in: Blog, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation Benefits