Answering Two Common Social Security Disability Questions

Suffering an injury or illness that results in you becoming permanently disabled can be one of the worst things that can happen to you. Unfortunately, these conditions can make it almost impossible for a person to support themselves financially, but this does not mean that you will have to fall into poverty. Social Security Disability is a program that is designed to act as a safety net for individuals that have found themselves in this situation. However, this program is often highly misunderstood by individuals, and learning the answers to the two questions below should help you to understand your options. 

Can Anyone Obtain Social Security Disability?

There is a common idea that this type of disability insurance is available to anyone that is a citizen of the United States. While this is certainly a requirement, there are other factors that will also need to be considered. One of the most important requirements to be considered is that individuals must have contributed to Social Security for several years.

There are many people that are unable to meet the requirement for any number of reason. However, if this applies to you, there are still programs that may be able to help you. For example, the Social Security Supplemental Income program is designed for individuals that have limited or fixed incomes and are unable to currently work. This is just one example of a program that may be able to help you, but you will need to speak with a local attorney to determine what is the best option for you.

How Much Can You Expect to Receive?

Not surprisingly, many people are interested in knowing how much they can expect to receive in benefits. However, this is a difficult question to answer because it will largely depend on the amount that you have contributed to the Social Security program. As a result, your attorney will need to review the last several years of your earnings statements to be able to estimate what you can expect to receive if you are successful. 

However, it should be noted that the income provided by this program is not the only benefit that you can enjoy. Being accepted into Social Security Disability can automatically qualify you for other government programs that can further help you make ends meet while getting the care that your condition demands. In addition to these federal programs, there are many state level programs designed to help citizens that are suffering from these problems, and your attorney will be able to help you apply to these programs. 

Being forced to seek the protection of disability benefits is not a task that most people want to do, but if you have a severe injury or illness, you may not have another option. By understanding the basics about this essential government program, you should find yourself better positioned to make informed choices to alleviate your situation. For assistance, talk to a professional like Banik & Renner.


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