Becoming injured at work is a common cause of disability. If you have been injured in the workplace and you needed to seek medical attention and take time off work, it’s likely that you will be able to file for workers’ compensation benefits in the first instance. However, if you suffer from a permanent disability as a result of your injury, it’s possible that you will need to change jobs, or that you’ll be unable to gain meaningful employment as a result.
If you are struggling to gain work as a result of your injury, it’s important that you look into your options. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the largest disability insurance program in the United States. However, not everyone qualifies for this type of disability insurance, but they may instead be able to gain Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The following is an overview of your options for claiming Social Security benefits if you have been injured at work.
Your work history determines your eligibility for SSDI
SSDI is only available to workers who have paid enough Social Security taxes on their income. To qualify for SSDI, you must therefore show your recent work history as well as proof of your disability when making your application. Typically, those who qualify for SSDI will be able to gain more benefits than those who qualify for SSI.
Proving your disability
The same criteria are in place with regard to defining disability when applying for both SSI and SSDI. To prove that you have a disability, a physician must be able to confirm that you have a recognized impairment through a diagnosis. You must be able to show that your diagnosis affects your ability to perform work-related functions, and is affecting your ability to gain an income.
If you have been injured at work and you are unable to gain employment as a result, make sure that you understand your options for gaining benefits under the SSA.