Navigating Social Security Disability Benefits

Navigating SSD benefits can be an overwhelming experience. With the right tools, it can be a little bit easier. First things first, if you plan to be out of work for six month or more because of an illness you should definitely consider applying. Some of us have employers that may offer some sort of short term disability plan but this is always not the case. What if you don’t have adequate benefit time to use such as sick, personal or vacation days? Then what?

Let’s be honest, we aren’t really thinking about these kinds of things but it’s important to know in the event that something happens to you or a loved one. Social Security Disability has a kit that serves as a starting point which will help keep you organized while you are in the process of applying. My friend Kim and I discussed her personal experience having to assist a loved one with applying for benefits on an episode of the missguided notions podcast.

You can explore whether or not your illness fits specific criteria known as compassionate allowance which allows the processing of your application for SSD benefits to go much quicker.

Depending on your particular illness explore if there are any other additional resources available to you through one of their national organizations. For example, cancer and careers is a site dedicated to providing tools and education related to workplace issues and cancer. Many different organizations offer additional support depending on your illness so I suggest exploring that as an option. For example, mesothelioma is a rare and specific type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma.net has a plethora of free resources. Some of the topics covered are treatment options, financial assistance, and help for families of asbestos victims.  

Important tip to note that SSA traditional wait times on hold is very lengthy and it is best to call before 9am. They open at 7am and on Wednesdays they close at 12pm.