Long-Term Disability
First, it is helpful to have some definitions, and to have an idea of how the different kinds of disabilities are defined. The difference between long-term and permanent disabilities is usually unrelated to the type of illness or injury, but more about the length of time you are affected. A long-term disability is a physical, mental, or emotional health condition that affects you for at least one year. There are many conditions that can qualify for this kind of disability coverage, as long as the duration qualification is met.
Mental health issues like anxiety and depression, physical illnesses like cancer and heart disease and chronic illness and chronic pain can all potentially qualify as long-term disabilities. If you have personal long-term disability coverage, or are seeking long-term disability coverage from social security, and you have any of these conditions, you should be able to get the help you need. Though these long-term disabilities are in some cases related to a work related injury, most of the time they are due to unrelated medical or mental health difficulties that make it hard for you to continue doing your job.
Permanent Disability
Permanent disabilities generally start out as long-term disabilities and eventually progress to where they are unlikely to improve anymore. This can happen either because the injury or illness worsens over time, or because you have tried all medical interventions available, and there are no more options left to treat your disability. When a doctor has ruled out the likelihood of future intervention improving your symptoms or capacity to work, you are considered to have a permanent disability.
Sometimes medical advances may occur in the future that could more effectively treat your disability, but if at a current point of time there aren’t further interventions, the disability is considered permanent.
How to Qualify
Qualifying for disability is different depending on the kind of disability assistance you are trying to acquire. If you have disability insurance through your employer, then you will have to speak with HR and see if you qualify for disability through their benefit. If you have personal disability insurance, then you would need to qualify through the parameters set up by your insurance provider. And, if you want to qualify for disability coverage through social security, then there are also parameters you would need to meet.
For social security purposes, you would need to have worked a qualifying job before sustaining your disability. Then, you would need to document a medical condition that qualifies as well. Once you have established those two things, you should be able to receive disability social security benefits.
What it Means
When you are qualified to receive social security benefits, you will generally be able to qualify until you are able to return to work. There are also additional incentives that can help you as you make a transition back to working regularly. Social security monthly disability benefits average at around 1200 dollars a month, but depending on your situation, they may be higher. If you were a breadwinner for your family, you may qualify for more of the benefit in order to properly care for your other family members. If you at some point are able to return to work, make sure to talk with the folks at social security so they can help you to get transition benefits while you return to the workforce and figure out the best way for you to begin making the transition.
Living with a Disability
Living with a disability can be difficult and complicated. Once you have secured your financial benefit to live on, it is also important that you take care of yourself mentally and physically. When you obtain a disability later in life, it can be difficult to make the transition and live your life differently. Make sure to maintain connections with the people you love, friends and family are an important part of a happy life, and you still deserve and need those connections after becoming disabled. Also, don’t be afraid to seek out resources that will help you live more fully and learn to manage your disability well.
With the right information on your side, you can manage your disability and get the benefits you need. Understanding how disability benefits work can help you to make the best possible decisions for your future and your quality of life.