Will Private Long-Term Disability Benefits Prevent You From Receiving SSDI Benefits?
Posted on: 2 June 2021
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If you are employed by a company that provides long-term disability benefits through an insurance provider, you might wonder if you will be entitled to SSDI benefits. The good news is that your eligibility for SSDI benefits is not affected by long-term disability benefits because the SSA uses different criteria for determining eligibility.
How Long-Term Disability Insurance Works
The long-term plan usually kicks in after the short-term benefits expire. However, the long-term disability benefits are not permanent and eventually stop. Therefore, you will want to apply for SSDI benefits if you are unable to work.
The Criteria for SSDI Benefits
Whether or not you qualify for SSDI benefits depends on whether you will be out of work for at least 12 months. You cannot perform the work that you previously performed before you became disabled. While you are allowed to work, you are not allowed to engage in substantial gainful activity or you will lose your benefits.
You must also prove that you are disabled. The easiest way to determine this is to have one of the qualifying conditions. If you do not have a qualifying condition, you may still be able to qualify but you will need to prove that your condition is one that prevents you from physically or mentally performing work.
How to Prove That You're Disabled
To be able to prove that you are disabled to the extent necessary to qualify for benefits, you must work closely with an SSDI attorney who will help you gather the evidence to prove that you are fully disabled. Therefore, you will need to seek treatment and follow your doctor's instructions.
By receiving treatment for your injuries, medical records will be created that will allow you to prove the extent of your injuries. For example, your doctor might indicate that you are not able to sit for a period of time or that you are not able to lift anything above a specific weight.
Whether or not you will be qualified depends on your age and education level. For example, if you are 60 or older and have worked as a manual laborer your entire life, you may be more likely to qualify because it will be difficult for you to retrain for another position. However, if you're not sure if you'll qualify, it's important to speak with a Social Security disability attorney. Contact an attorney in your area to make an appointment.