If you suffer severe injuries in a car accident, your life can change in an instant. As you face new challenges, financial strain can compound the stress. If the injuries prevent you from working, you might wonder if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.
Grasping the requirements of SSDI and how it applies to your situation can help you deal with your difficult situation.
SSDI eligibility requirements
SSDI aims to provide financial help to people who cannot work due to a disability. To qualify, you must meet certain criteria. First, your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working. The Social Security Administration defines this as being unable to engage in substantial gainful activity.
In addition, your condition must last at least 12 months or result in death. In the context of a car accident, this means your injuries must prevent you from working for at least a year to qualify for SSDI.
Applying for SSDI after a car accident
When you apply for SSDI, the SSA will assess your condition based on their Listing of Impairments. This list details various medical conditions that the SSA considers severe enough to prevent someone from working. If your injuries match a condition on the list, you may have an easier time getting approved for SSDI.
However, if your condition does not match a listing, you may still qualify if your condition limits your functioning such that you cannot work. The SSA will do a residual functional capacity assessment to determine what work, if any, you can do despite your limitations.
You can qualify for SSDI after a car accident if your injuries prevent you from working and meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. Applying for SSDI is a complex process, and the SSA denies many first-time applications. If the SSA denies your application, do not lose hope. You have the right to appeal the decision, and many people secure benefits at the appeal stage.