Short-term disability benefits can be an important safety net when you are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. Unlike Social Security disability (SSD), short-term disability is strictly time-limited. And, what is covered and for how long may vary depending on your short-term disability insurance policy.
What is Short-Term Disability Insurance?
This is an insurance policy you may purchase, or that may be provided by your employer. The coverage replaces a portion of your income for a limited time if you are unable to work due to a covered medical condition, illness, or injury. Most short-term disability policies pay about half of the disabled worker’s regular earnings, but that percentage can be higher or lower depending on the policy.
In most states, short-term disability is optional. Employers can choose whether or not to offer the coverage, and workers can choose whether or not to purchase their own policies. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot of workers without coverage. In a few states, short-term disability is covered by a state program, or employers are required to provide coverage.
How Long Can You Collect Benefits?
The amount of time you can collect short-term disability benefits will depend on the terms of your short-term disability policy. It’s common for the cap to be either three months or six months. If your disability lasts longer than that, you will need to pursue other options, such as filing a claim under any long-term disability policy you may have and applying for SSD. If you have long-term disability coverage, you will likely be required to apply for SSD, and your benefits may be reduced by the amount you receive.
Know Your Benefits Policy
Many people who have employer-provided coverage don’t pay much attention to the terms of the policy. That can mean scrambling to figure things out when injury or illness strikes. If you have coverage, take the time to understand your policy and know what coverage will be available if you need it. If you don’t have short-term disability coverage, consider looking into purchasing coverage. SSD benefits are only available if you are or are expected to be disabled for at least a year, and can take even longer to receive. That can leave a significant gap in income if you don’t have short-term coverage.
Having Trouble with Short-Term Disability?
If you’re unable to work due to disability, Disability Help Group is here for you. Whether you’re having trouble with your disability policy, your long-term disability policy, or your SSD application or appeal, our experienced advocates can help. Call us today at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form to learn more here.
Millions of Americans are affected daily by their knee pain. Whether it’s a short-term injury such as a torn ligament or something more long-term like arthritis, these disabilities can have serious effects on your day-to-day quality of life. Figuring out whether you are eligible for disability benefits due to your knee condition can be extremely frustrating and confusing, this is where our team can help.
Qualifying For Social Security Disability For Knee Disabilities
The cause of the knee disabilities is generally not taken into consideration when evaluating whether your condition is disabling or not. The SSA uses certain criteria to determine whether a knee disability qualifies a claimant as disabled.
To qualify for SSD benefits for your knee condition, the condition must impair your ability to walk. The Social Security Administration defines a disabling knee condition as one that causes a functional loss resulting in the inability to ambulate effectively. Your ability to ambulate may be evaluated based on your ability to walk or perform fine or gross movements for a sustained period.
Proving knee disabilities can sometimes be difficult, medical records can help you to provide evidence of a seriously disabling knee condition. These records may include, surgical reports, neurological testing, and pain management treatments.
Ineffective ambulations that may qualify as a knee disability include:
Walking without an assistive device
Maintaining a reasonable walking pace over a typical distance during regular daily activity
The ability to travel without companion assistance
The use of standard public transportation
The ability to walk a block on a rough or uneven surface at a reasonable pace
The ability to climb a few steps without the use of a handrail
Knee disabilities that may qualify someone for disability benefits can include:
Arthritis
Chronic joint pain
Dysfunction of a knee joint
Amputation at the knee
The need for an assistive device
Inability to bear weight on the knee
What You Can Do Right Now
If you believe you have a knee disability, start your claim now with an experienced Social Security Disability Advocate at Disability Help Group. This process can be extensive, our advocates can help you find the proper documentation for your disability claim which can help speed up your approval process and avoid any delays or denials that can arise. Call us today at 800-800-3322or click here to contact us now.
Whiplash is a relatively common condition–Mayo Clinic estimates there are about 3 million new cases of whiplash in the U.S. each year. Symptoms of this condition can include:
Neck pain, which may worsen with movement
Limited range of motion in the neck
Headaches
Dizziness
Pain in the shoulders, upper back, or arms
Numbness or tingling in the arms
Some people experience different or more serious symptoms.
Is Whiplash a Disability for SSD Purposes?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines “disability” as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medical condition or combination of conditions. The condition must also persist for at least one year.
One way to establish that you are disabled is to show that you meet or equal a listing in the Social Security Blue Book. The other is to show that your “residual functional capacity”–what you can still do despite your medical limitations–is too low to allow you to earn a living.
Most cases of whiplash resolve in a few weeks or months. That’s not long enough to qualify for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. If whiplashsymptoms are long-term and cause disability under one of the tests described above, it may be possible to secure SSD benefits for whiplash. But, whiplash is a tricky condition that can be hard to prove, so it’s important to have the right assistance.
Social Security Blue Book
There is no Blue Book listing specifically for whiplash. That means you won’t be able to readily demonstrate disability by ticking off symptoms and limitations listed for your specific condition. However, you may be able to show that your condition and related symptoms and limitations equal another condition in the Musculoskeletal System listing.
Residual Functional Capacity
The process of determining whether you have sufficient residual functional capacity to engage in SGA is a bit more complicated and takes many factors not directly related to your medical condition into account. For example, the SSA will consider your past work experience, your level of education, whether past skills translate to other types of work you may still be able to do, and even your age.
Talk to an Experienced Disability Benefits Advocate about Your Whiplash Claim
If you are considering applying for SSD benefits for whiplash, give yourself the advantage of working with an experienced disability benefits advocate from the start. Most disability claims are initially denied, and that can add months or years to the process. To learn more about how we can help you submit the strongest possible application and documentation–or appeal–call us right now at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
Most disabled vets know that they’re entitled to VA healthcare services, whether that means treatment for their service-connected conditions or broader healthcare services. But many don’t know about or don’t take advantage of the transportation benefits that can help a veteran get to and from medical appointments, testing, and hospitals.
What is the Transportation Program (VTP)?
The VTP provides assistance for veterans to and from VA healthcare facilities and other VA-authorized medical appointments. The exact details of the options available and eligibility vary depending on location. So, the best source of detailed information about the options available for you is the VA facility or authorized facility you need to visit.
Here’s an overview of the services available.
Veterans Transportation Service (VTS)
VTS is a network of transportation providers and options coordinated by the VA and a variety of organizations and governmental entities that serve veterans. VTS transports veterans to and from medical facilities in multi-passenger vans. You can find the nearest VTS office here.
Travel Reimbursement
The VA also offers eligible veterans and caretakers reimbursement for mileage or for travel expenses. To qualify, a veteran must be traveling to a VA healthcare facility or a VA-authorized appointment at another facility and meet one of a long list of other criteria, including traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, having a VA disability rating of at least 30%, being unable to afford transportation for medical care, receiving a VA pension, meeting income requirements, or traveling for certain specifically listed purposes.
VA disability benefits, including healthcare, monetary compensation, and assistance in traveling to and from medical appointments provide an important safety net for veterans who are partly or totally disabled. It’s important to ensure that you’re familiar with all of the VA benefits available to you. It’s also important to be aware that you may qualify for other types of benefits, such as Social Security disability (SSD). Many disabled veterans are eligible to receive both veterans disability benefits and SSD at the same time, which can significantly increase the total benefits received. Whether you’re applying for or appealing a denial of VA disability benefits or SSD, or are receiving VA disability benefits and want to pursue SSD, the advocates at Disability Help Group are here to support you with our extensive knowledge and experience. To learn more about how we can help, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
Some disabilities are so severe that you have no choice but to stop working immediately. Sometimes, the progression is more complex. Perhaps your doctor has told you that it’s not safe for you to continue in your job with your medical condition, but you’re still pushing through because your paycheck is your only source of income to cover your basic needs. Or maybe you are able to work, but only part-time or sporadically.
This can be a Catch-22 for someone who wants to apply for SSD benefits. Here’s what you need to know about working and applying for SSD.
Does Working Disqualify You from Receiving SSD Benefits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as being unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) due to your medical condition or conditions. In 2024, the monthly SGA amount is $1,550. That means if you’re able to earn at least $1,550 (before taxes) each month, the SSA doesn’t consider you disabled. The cut-off is increased to $2,590/month for a blind applicant.
If you’re only able to work a little and your earnings are below the SGA level, you may still qualify for SSD benefits. But if you’re earning above the SGA cut-off, you are engaging in substantial gainful activity. By the SSA’s definition, that means you’re not disabled. If you tried to go back to work after you became disabled and couldn’t sustain it, you may still qualify for SSD. But, your case will be more complicated.
Working While on SSD
The SSA offers people receiving disability benefits the opportunity to attempt to go back to work without losing benefits. If you’re going to attempt to work while on SSD, you must understand exactly how the program works. Any month in which you earn above a certain threshold is considered a “trial work” month. In 2024, the cut-off is $1,110/month.
If you accrue nine of those in any 5-year period, you enter an extended period of eligibility (EPE). The EPE can last up to 36 months, but if you exceed the SGA threshold, you will no longer be considered disabled.
Applying for SSD Benefits While Working
If you returned to work after becoming disabled but were unable to continue, or you are currently working and want to pursue SSD benefits, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced SSD benefits advocate right away. At Disability Help Group, our advocates have extensive experience with the sometimes-complex formulas and assessments the SSA applies and can help you assess your eligibility and construct the strongest possible application. If you’ve been denied because you were engaging in SGA but are no longer able to do so, we can assist with your appeal or–if too much time has passed to appeal–the re-application process. To learn more, call us right now at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form.
