Disabled? You Don’t Have to Figure it Out Alone

If you’ve suffered an illness or injury that left you disabled, you may not know where to turn for help. It can be frightening to find yourself unable to earn money to support yourself or contribute to your family’s support. It’s especially stressful to manage those concerns while dealing with a chronic medical condition or adapting to new limitations after an injury. And, most American workers don’t have disability insurance. Fortunately, both state and federal governments provide options for people whose earning capacity has been interrupted by disability. There are three main types of disability benefits available. Not everyone is eligible for every type of benefits, so it is important to educate yourself about the different types of disability and how best to proceed in your specific circumstances. An experienced disability attorney can be the best source of information about your options.

Types of Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability

Social Security disability (also known as SSDI) is a federal disability benefits program that American workers pay into as they earn. If you have ever looked at your paycheck stub closely, you have probably noticed that some of the deductions are labeled “Social Security” and “Medicare.” Your employer also makes contributions to Social Security and Medicare on your behalf. Most people don’t receive Social Security benefits and Medicare until they retire. Then, monthly benefits are paid out based on earnings and contributions during your working life. However, if you become disabled before you reach retirement age, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits are similar to regular Social Security benefits. Those who qualify for Social Security disability receive monthly payments and get early access to medical benefits through Medicare.

Veterans Disability Benefits

If you were injured or got sick while serving in the military and are disabled as a result, you may be entitled to benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Veterans benefits are calculated differently than Social Security disability benefits, and may be available even if you only suffered a partial disability. The amount of benefits is based on the extent of your disability and other factors, such as whether you have dependents. You may even qualify for Veterans benefits if you already had a medical condition when you entered military service and your service made the condition worse.

Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits

Unlike Social Security disability and Veterans benefits, workers’ compensation benefits vary from state to state. The process for securing workers’ compensation benefits may also be slightly different from state to state. However, the basic workers’ compensation system is similar in most states. Workers’ compensation is designed to ensure that a worker who is injured on the job has access to replacement income while he or she is unable to work, and that medical expenses are covered. Workers’ compensation claims are different from personal injury claims in that the injured worker does not have to show that the employer was in any way negligent, or even responsible for the injury. Disability benefits under workers’ compensation may be temporary or permanent, and may be total or partial. The type of benefits is determined by the type of injury, how serious the injury is, and how long it is expected to last. Take the First Step Right Now

Legal Help for Disability

You may be unsure which disability benefits might be available to you. Or, you may have already applied for benefits and have run into trouble, such as a delay in processing a workers’ compensation claim, a denial of Social Security disability benefits, or a Veterans disability rating you believe is too low. A local disability or workers’ compensation attorney can assess your claim and help assemble the strongest case possible. To learn more about your rights and how a local disability attorney can help, just call (833) 315-6522 or fill out the contact form on this page. The initial consultation is free and there’s no obligation.