If you suffer a serious illness or injury and can no longer work, what will you do to stay afloat? Many people don’t like to think about becoming permanently disabled, but it is important to understand what options are available to help you pay for monthly living expenses.
Individuals who are considered to have a short-term or total and permanent disability can apply for Social Security disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration. SSDI benefits can be life-saving and a vital source of income for many individuals and families in the United States.
The odds of becoming disabled are higher than you think. Roughly 37 million people in the country are disabled. Recent reports show that 25 percent of people age 20 right now will have a disability before they retire.
When it comes to men and women, the risk of becoming disabled is slightly different. A 35-year-old woman with low risk factors for a disability still has a 24 percent risk of suffering a disability for at least three months. A 35-year-old man with low risk factors has a 21 percent chance of becoming disabled for at least three months.
The risk of becoming disabled may be scary but understanding what options are out there to help can ease your fears and educate you about the government benefits available if you ever become disabled.
Living with a long-term and permanent disability can significantly affect your finances. In addition to not being able to work, you will likely require medical treatment or care. This is expensive, but SSDI benefits can help.
Applying for SSDI benefits requires medical documentation of your injury and other documents and paperwork. An attorney can assist you with the application process and help you complete the application process correctly and in a timely manner. An attorney can also help if your initial application has been denied.