Being unable to work due to an illness or injury can be incredibly stressful. This is especially true if you, like the vast majority of Maryland residents, rely on a steady paycheck to pay your bills every month.
However, many people who are unable to work due to illnesses and injuries are eligible to file for disability benefits. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) pays benefits to qualifying individuals who need help on a short-term or long-term basis. There are different programs with different eligibility criteria, and many individuals are eligible to receive benefits under multiple programs.
The main program – and the program with which most people are familiar – is Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). SSDI pays benefits regardless of whether you got sick or injured at work or at home. While filing for SSDI benefits can be challenging, an experienced disability lawyer can guide you through the entire process.
What Illnesses Qualify for Benefits?
The SSA has outlined 14 categories of illnesses that qualify for SSDI benefits. Within each of these broad categories, numerous specific illnesses are covered. As a result, if you cannot work due to an illness, you should speak with a disability lawyer about filing a claim.
The 14 categories of illnesses that qualify for SSDI benefits are:
- Cancers
- Cardiovascular System Disorders
- Congenital Disorders
- Digestive System Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders
- Genitourinary (Urinary and Reproductive System) Disorders
- Hematological (Blood) Disorders
- Immune System Disorders
- Mental Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Neurological Disorders
- Respiratory disorders
- Sensory and Speech Disorders
- Skin Disorders
How Do I Know I'm Eligible for Benefits?
In addition to having a qualifying illness or injury (and, again, most illnesses and injuries are covered), to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have earned enough “Social Security credits.” You earn Social Security credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. The longer you have worked, the more credits you will have earned, and the more benefits you will be eligible to receive under SSDI.
But, don’t forget that SSDI might not be your only option. For example, while SSDI requires a qualifying illness and work history, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not. SSI is a needs-based program that pays benefits to individuals whose income falls below a certain threshold.
What's the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Disability?
In a nutshell, short-term disability helps cover your expenses if you will be able to return to work in the foreseeable future, while long-term disability benefits are available to individuals who will be unable to work for a longer period of time, if not indefinitely. In addition to applying for SSDI (and SSI), individuals who have been diagnosed with long-term disabilities may also have access to long-term disability (LTD) coverage under a private insurance policy or a group policy paid for by their employer. An experienced disability lawyer can determine what type of claim (or types of claims) you can file and can help you seek the maximum benefits available.