If you’ve been injured badly enough that you cannot return to work, your focus is likely on getting better rather than on filing a personal injury claim. But an injury that serious poses a significant challenge to your financial stability, and there are only a few steps available to you. One is to seek compensation from the parties responsible and another is to seek help from the government via Social Security disability benefits. But most people facing this situation are unsure of the process, and many are intimidated and concerned that they move forward in a way that jeopardizes their rights. One of the most important questions that people want answered is whether they are able to apply for government support immediately or whether they need to wait until they’ve filed a claim and concluded the legal process. The short answer to this question is that you can apply for Social Security Disability benefits at any time, without worry of a settlement or verdict impacting your payments.
Social Security Disability insurance is a benefit that becomes available to anybody that has worked and paid into Social Security through their taxes for five out of ten of the years prior to suffering their disability. The benefit is in no way linked to the individual’s assets. Rather it is available if they are not able to continue working. This means that a personal injury settlement or any award provided by a jury will not impact your ability to receive these payments, and there is no reason to wait. This is especially true because it can take a long time for a personal injury settlement or verdict to be achieved.
As long as your disability has kept you from returning to work for at least a year, Social Security Disability benefits are available, and not tied to your bank account or any other funds that you may be expecting related to your injury. That being said, receiving benefits from a source other than the party that you are holding liable may have an impact on the amount of the settlement or award that you receive.
Applying for disability can be a complicated process, and so can pursuing justice after being injured as a result of another’s negligence. If you have suffered a personal injury and need guidance or representation, contact our lawyers today to set up a time for a free consultation.
