3 Things You Must Have To Qualify For Disability Benefits
There are many people who have had an accident or health crisis of some sort and are unable to work. If this is the case for you, you might be wondering if you can get disability benefits to help support you during times of underemployment, or unemployment. Here are some things that you need to know about getting disability benefits.
1. The Injury Or Health Problem Must Be Long-Term
Many people are injured and are out of the workforce for a short period of time. For instance, you might break your leg and need surgery and have to take some time off of work. During this period, finances may be tight while you are healing, and so you might feel that disability would help. Yes, disability would be helpful, but it is unlikely that you would be approved for it. The reason for this is that the injury or health crisis has to be serious enough and long enough that it takes you out of the work force for the indefinite future. If it is only a temporary thing, there will be no help from disability benefits.
2. The Health Crisis Was Not Brought On From An Addiction
Another thing that disability department will look at is how the injury or health crisis was brought on. If it was from an accident that you had no control over, or an unfortunate disease that you could not control, you could receive benefits. The problem lies when the problem was brought on by yourself. If you abused alcohol and then had a liver disease that leaves you disabled, you probably won't receive benefits. In some cases if you controlled your weight and that would take care of the illness or disease, you also won't receive benefits since they see it as something you can control. Thus, don't even apply for the benefits if it can be proven that the illness or injury was brought on from an addiction or a behavior that you could control.
3. The Problem Has To Be Serious Enough That You Can't Work
Lastly, you have to have an injury or illness that renders you unable to work, not just needing a job change. For instance, if you hurt your back and your used to work in a warehouse, rather than give you disability benefits, you may be encouraged to find a office job that doesn't require so much physical labor.
By understanding these things, you can determine if it is worth applying for disability benefits. For more information about applying and qualifying for disability benefits, talk with a lawyer, such as those at Diamond Law Offices.
