All Disability. All The Time.

How long do you need to be disabled to get Social Security?

On Behalf of | May 16, 2022 | Social Security Disability |

Any injury can be temporarily disabling. If you work a physical job and you roll your ankle, it may mean that you can’t do your job the next day. But after a few days, your body will heal and you’ll be able to go back to work.

Of course, you would never consider filing for disability benefits just because of an injured ankle. But the same principle is important to keep in mind because the Social Security Administration requires that those who get benefits have a disability that is predicted to last for a minimum of 12 months (or end in death).

Dealing with serious injuries 

This could be far longer than you assumed. Many people are surprised that they have to wait so long. You could have a very serious injury that prevents you from working for ten or eleven months, and it still may be hard for you to get the benefits that you need. The government could claim that you’re not disabled when you know that you absolutely can’t work and you have no income.

One thing to consider is that medical experts are the ones who determine how long they think the injury or disability is going to last. This is why it’s so important to talk with your medical team so that you can get a prognosis that really fits your situation. It can also help to explain to the doctor why you need to know how long your disability will last, even if the doctor may feel hesitant to tell you how you’re going to feel an entire year from now. It’s good to have their input because it can show that your disability really will last long enough for you to qualify.

If you’ve been denied or if you’re worried about not getting the benefits that you know you need, it’s very important to understand exactly what steps to take to get your Social Security Disability claim approved.