Wondering if you can qualify for SSI disability benefits if you are injured in a car accident? Vehicle crashes can cause long-lasting impacts that can affect your wellness and ability to perform different types of work. When you experience this situation, you may be eligible to get Social Security disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income Program or Social Security Disability Insurance program. Read on to learn everything that you want to know about car accident injuries and how you can qualify for SSI disability benefits.
Understanding SSI Disability Benefits
Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that was designed to help people who have suffered long-term disabilities. To qualify for the SSI program, your disability should have lasted or expected to be about 12 months. SSI benefits are intended to help you cover different things that include your day-to-day expenses like medication and other basic needs that you may need, but are not able to work as a result of the injury. Different types of car injuries can qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Who Qualifies for SSI Disability Benefits?
To qualify for Supplemental security income (SSI), you should meet the SSA’s requirements to be considered disabled. This SSI article outlines the conditions that you should meet to receive the benefits to help you meet different costs of living when you cannot work because of a disability or medical condition. You must be a resident of the US and be able to show that your disability or any other medical condition has prevented you from engaging in active work for about 12 months. You should prove that the disability has impacted you in such a way that you can no longer perform the work that you used to do in the past for a living.
However, it is not automatic that your application for disability will get automatic approval. Other applications are denied, so you may need to engage the services of professional social security lawyers to receive the appropriate benefits you deserve. Your attorney can help you complete the necessary documentation and help you prove your eligibility for benefits.
How to Qualify for SSI Disability Benefits?
If you are involved in an accident that has resulted in some sort of disability, there are different steps that you need to take to qualify for SSDI benefits. The first step is filing a disability claim, and you can do this by visiting the Social Security office in your area. To increase your chances of approval for the benefits, it is vital to work with a disability attorney. Most disability lawyers have experience in dealing with similar claims, and they offer free consultation and advice concerning the strength of your case.
You should remember that SSI is primarily concerned about how a specific condition caused by the accident affects your capability to perform your duties and not necessarily the severity of the injury. You do not automatically get approved for Social Security disability as a result of your injuries from a car accident since you need to go through the entire application process. The following factors are often considered before your application is approved:
- Is the injury terminal in nature or affected you for at least 12 months?
- Is the condition listed among other qualifying conditions?
- The severity of the condition and how it impacts your performance of job duties.
- Do you have enough Social Security Credits for SSI?
Your attorney will play a pivotal role in reviewing your application for benefits, evaluating the documentation and medical evidence you offer to support your claim. The SAA reviewers will also consider your recovery process as well as determine if the medications you are taking can cause side effects.
Types of Injuries that Warrantee SSI Disability Benefits
Different impairments caused by car crashes can make you qualify for SSI disability benefits. The most common types of injuries include musculoskeletal system disorders that include damages to bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Other types of injuries include spinal cord injuries, whiplash, severe burns, sensory impairments, and neurological disorders. All you need to do is to establish that your injury is listed by SSA or prove that it is equivalent to the condition that is regarded as a disability.
Some car accidents can be catastrophic since they can cause long-lasting damage that can impact your ability to work. When you find yourself in this predicament following a car accident, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits that can help you cope with everything including your day-to-day expenses. However, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of injuries that can make you qualify to get SSI disability benefits.