If you are suffering from an injury or illness that is preventing you from working, it’s likely you have lost a livable income, and you may be facing the threat of economic hardship. Many people, who are unable to work due to a serious illness or injury, are able to receive Social Security benefits as compensation. But, according to John C. Shea, a disability lawyer in Richmond, VA, applying for Social Security benefits is often a long and arduous process, whether because you are gathering all of your medical documents, making sure you ask all the right questions or patiently waiting to hear if you qualify,.
The Waiting Period and Financial Help
Once you have applied and are waiting for a response as to whether you qualify for benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that the decision process can take anywhere from three to five months (keep in mind that the process can take even longer if you’re initially denied and file an appeal). Waiting nearly half a year is not “financially doable” for most individuals. Here are some helpful tips for getting financial help while waiting for SSA’s answer:
- Are You Able to Work?: In some cases, individuals seeking SSDI benefits may be able to work, but there limitations on how much you can earn. Chances are, your illness or injury may limit your ability/length of time to work, anyway. If you’re interested in working, even very part-time while applying for SSDI benefits, it’s a good idea to talk to SSA; to avoid any extra issues or confusion, consult with a disability lawyer.
- Apply for Supplemental Programs: If your life is put on hold due to a life-changing illness or injury, unfortunately, your needs and expenses won’t take a break. Groceries and other utilities are life essentials but are often big financial expenses. If you’re running into financial problems, rather than skipping bills and risking having your heat or electricity shut off, consider applying for energy assistance and take a look at programs like SNAP for food assistance.
- Creating a Budget and Cutting Expenses: Downsizing on your monthly budget may be one of the easiest ways to save you some money while waiting for SSDI benefits. Although you may not want to give up certain “luxuries” like cable television or your costly cell phone plan, making some budget cuts here and there may save you hundreds of dollars a month. It’s also a good idea, while planning out your budget, to look ahead as much as a year. While SSA’s decision may take a few months, you may encounter some discrepancies that lengthen the process.
