Suffering from a disabling injury or illness is not only unexpected, it is also a challenging event that can significantly alter the life of the inflicted. One never expects to be labeled as disabled, and they certainly do not expect to endure the impacts a disability can have on the many facets in life. Being unable to work is not only difficult to accept, it also presents financial challenges because money is no longer coming in. In order to offset these financial setbacks, disabled individuals frequently apply for Social Security disability benefits.
When seeking SSD benefits, it is important to understand what these benefits entail and what rights are afforded to applicants and recipients. To begin, those applying for these benefits should note that payments couldn’t start until a person has been disabled for at least five full months. This means that, on the sixth months, the first payment will be received.
These monthly payments will continue so long as the recipient’s medical condition has not improved and he or she is unable to work. However, this does not mean that payments will continue indefinitely. Due to advances in medicine and rehabilitation techniques, it is possible to recover from a serious disability caused by an accident or illness. The Social Security Administration will make periodic reviews to ensure a recipient still has a qualifying disability. However, a recipient of SSD benefits is required to tell the SSA if their has been a change in his or her ability to work, he or she has returned to work or if his or her medical condition has improved.
Whether you were denied initially when applying for benefits or your benefits have stopped because of changes to your condition, it is important to understand you rights. This could mean seeking reconsideration or filing an appeal. This process may be lengthy, but it could result in a disabled individual obtaining the benefits he or she requires and is entitled to.
Source: Ssa.gov, “What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits,” accessed Jan. 27, 2018