When people first consider Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), they often assume that it is only for those with permanent injuries that keep them from ever working again. A person who was involved in a serious fall accident while working at heights may break their back, for instance, paralyzing them and meaning they can never again return to the workforce. It is clear that they have a need for SSDI benefits as a result of their situation.
But what if it’s not quite that serious? You’re out of work, and you have a medical condition that means you can’t draw a paycheck, but you hope that your condition will improve. You want to go back to work eventually. You don’t think this is a condition you’ll have for life, at least not to an extent that you cannot work. Can you still get SSDI benefits?
You may be able to. If you have a work history and you are going to be out of work for 12 months or longer due to the medication condition, you may qualify. Those are two of the biggest requirements and the place where every case begins. The Social Security Administration does consider the usefulness of both temporary and permanent benefits.
You may also want to consider the fact that you don’t know for sure if or when you will recover. Starting the process with temporary benefits could be useful if the recovery doesn’t allow you to work again and you eventually need permanent benefits. Make sure you really know about all of the options that you have and what steps to take.
