American workers who are seriously or permanently disabled may be eligible for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance or to draw Supplemental Security Income. Both programs are designed to provide financial support to patients and their families after a debilitating illness or injury.
Proving eligibility for these benefits can be quite difficult, which is why many patients turn to social security disability lawyers to help them through the process. The Social Security Administration only provides benefits for total disability. Short-term disabilities or partial disabilities are not covered. The disability must prevent a patient from carrying out their previous work AND be unable to adapt to other work due to their injury or illness.
The core benefit is a monthly disability check designed to help an individual or family survive without the income of a job. Some patients may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. After two years on disability, patients will be eligible for Medicare. Some patients are also eligible for programs like food stamps to further supplement their income.