Many people wonder if they can receive more money in disability benefits if they have multiple disabilities. Having more than one disability can make holding a steady job difficult or impossible depending on the disability. This leaves many people stressed out about their finances and how they will pay bills. Discussing your situation with a Philadelphia disability lawyer can help you figure out what options you may have available regarding benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits under two programs for people who are unable to work because of a disability. When it comes to benefits for multiple disabilities, the SSA sees the benefits provided and overall process the same.
What this means is people applying for disability benefits will receive the same amount of benefits despite how many disabilities they have. The number of disabilities does not determine how much someone is paid in disability benefits. Instead, it is whether someone has a disability and how severe the disability is that determines this.
While this may sound like bad news to some, the good news is that multiple disabilities increase your chances of receiving benefits much longer. The SSA does regular check-ins for people with mild disabilities or medical conditions that are expected to improve. If a disability improves enough to allow a person to return to work, then benefits could be removed.
Those with multiple disabilities are less likely to experience this kind of improvement. They may not be able to ever return fully to work because when one disability improves, the other disability does not. In any situation, you must report any new disabilities to the SSA. Not doing so may lead to complications with your disability benefits.
In terms of disability benefits eligibility, you must have a physical or mental impairment caused by a disability or medical condition. This impairment must prevent you from working or earning a basic income. At the same time, the disability must also prevent you from finding a different job and from adapting to your previous work.
Looking at whether you can find other work depends on your educational background and transferrable skills. Some people can use the skills they still have available despite their disability at other jobs.
The disability must be expected to last a year. That is, unless the disability is diagnosed as terminal. Do not panic if your disability is not severe. As long as your disability prevents you from working, you have a chance at receiving disability benefits. If you are still having trouble applying for disability benefits, consider contacting a Philadelphia disability lawyer for advice.
Going through the disability benefits claims process can be confusing and tedious at times. Talking to a Philadelphia group disability insurance lawyer can be helpful when you have questions about benefits for multiple disabilities. Start by contacting Edelstein Martin & Nelson by dialing (800) – 300 – 0909 for a consultation today. Our experienced team of Philadelphia disability attorneys can help you acquire the benefits you need to survive financially.