Consider this scenario: It started out as a work-related injury, and you hoped you could be back on your feet and back on the job within a matter of days or weeks. But you could barely move, let alone think about going back to work for a while.
Then the days and weeks stretched out to months, but your physical disability still prevented your going back to work. Now what? How long might this last? Your family finances are rapidly going downhill and your savings account is draining at an alarming rate.
The truth is that many hard working people don't want to even consider the possibility that they may not be able to return to work within 6 months. Sometimes we let our own pride get in the way of trying to obtain the help for our families which is out there.
Meanwhile, we feel helpless while sinking into financial ruin. Social Security Disability benefits are made to help people in bad circumstances who are unable to help themselves, but you must make the first move by filing a claim.
First of all, it's important to sit down with your doctor and get a realistic prognosis for your health future. Is it likely you'll be out of work for a year? If that's a real possibility, it's ok to go ahead and file a claim either yourself or through an attorney who specializes in these kinds of claims. Did you know that you don't need to be considered permanently disabled in order to receive these benefits? The law simply states that you must be unable to work for a minimum of 12 months.
Receiving Social Security benefits is not the same as receiving welfare. Many of us who work hard wouldn't dream of receiving a hand-out, and so we don't feel comfortable receiving any kind of governmental assistance.
It's important to remember that a portion of your taxes goes toward paying for SS retirement and disability insurance. Because you paid for this insurance, you are not being "given" anything if you receive benefits: you are simply receiving the help you've been paying for all along.
If you are unsure whether or not you may be eligible to apply for disability benefits, a good move might be to contact an attorney who specializes in this field.
Stress keeps people from healing properly.
There is no reason to cause yourself undue stress and prolong your injury or illness because of financial catastrophe. Too often our human pride or just a lack of knowledge about what to do or what is available to help our families keeps us from filing for benefits that will keep us afloat until we are able to get back to work.
For expert legal answers to your disability claim questions, contact the specialists at Disability Insurance Advocates (http://www.disabilityinsuranceadvocates.com/). Art Gib is a freelance writer.
Orignal From: Should I File For Disability Benefits?
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