If you suffer from a disability and are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. A common question that people ask regarding Social Security disability benefits is whether eligibility is contingent upon having a permanent disability. The answer to this question is no—you don’t have to be permanently disabled to get Social Security disability benefits. However, as we explain below, there is a durational requirement.
Permanent and Short-Term Disability
If you are unable to work due to a disability, your injury or illness need not be permanent to obtain approval to receive Social Security disability benefits. Although many people who are approved for such benefits continue to receive them until they reach retirement age (at which point they begin to receive retirement benefits), some people’s conditions improve enough for them to go back to work and cease receiving benefits.
Short-Term Medical Conditions
If you are suffering from a short-term medical condition, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. There is one caveat, however: you can only receive approval for Social Security disability benefits if you have a qualifying medical condition that is expected to last for at least one year. In addition, for some types of medical conditions, Social Security limits the amount of time that benefits are available. For example, following an organ transplant, an individual may receive Social Security disability benefits for one year. After a year is up, the individual’s eligibility expires.
Permanent Disability and Total Disability
Although permanent disability isn’t required to obtain Social Security disability benefits, total disability is. Social Security disability is an “all or nothing” system. In other words, unlike programs in which claimants are awarded percentages of disability, such as workers’ compensation and VA benefits, you must be 100% disabled to receive Social Security disability benefits. Generally, Social Security defines total disability as the inability to perform any type of substantial work. However, this doesn’t limit all types of work that an applicant may perform. Therefore, even if you are able to work, you may be considered totally disabled for the purpose of applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Contact Our El Paso SSDI and SSI Attorney
If you suffer from a disability in Texas, you should contact Texas SSDI and SSI attorney for assistance applying for Social Security disability benefits. When you hire experienced Social Security disability attorney Jon Sipes to help you apply for Social Security disability benefits, he will utilize his extensive knowledge of the Social Security disability benefits application process to diligently pursue Social Security disability benefits on your behalf. Jon Snipes regularly helps people obtain Social Security disability benefits in Texas, so he knows what it takes to make your claim successful. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.