Michigan workers know that getting injured on the job can have serious financial consequences. If they are lucky, their injury may not prevent them from missing a lot of time on the job. But what if a worker receives a far more serious injury and faces an extended period of time when they are unable to work? Are there programs that can help them replace the lost wages from their job?
Injured workers may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits that can help them through their difficult times. SSDI is different from Social Security Income or SSI. SSDI is derived from the paychecks of workers who pay into the fund while they are working. SSI, on the other hand, can be accessed by children, the blind and those who earn low incomes.
Before a Michigan worker can apply for SSDI, they must be recognized as disabled, meaning that their injury keeps them from working full time. They must also have been disabled for at least 12 continuous months. There are a myriad of conditions that can qualify for SSDI benefits including depression, hearing or vision loss, coronary disease and musculoskeletal disorders such as repetitive motion injuries.
An injured worker can apply for SSDI benefits over the phone, online or in person, by themselves or with the assistance of a legal professional. But before a person applies, it’s essential to collect all the relevant medical records to demonstrate the diagnosis, the severity of the condition and the types of therapy and medical procedures that the worker may have had. They should also have copies of their income tax statements and the names of any prescription medications that they are taking because of their injury.
A very important part of the application process is providing the date the disability started. This can be done through the worker’s history on the job and any medical evidence that can be provided.
Source: www.findlaw.com, “Social security disability explained“, accessed May 25, 2015
