Becoming injured at work can be a heartbreaking thing to have to go through, since not only can it affect your health and well-being, but it can affect every aspect of your life. An injury at work can, unfortunately, result in financial difficulties stemming from extensive medical bills, lost wages due to taking unpaid leave, and an inability to return to work if a permanent disability is a consequence of the initial injury.
One of the ways that an injured worker can get financial help after an injury is through workers’ compensation. In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation, you must notify your employer of the work-related injury within 30 days of it occurring. While workers’ compensation can be a financial lifeline for many, it does not always cover workers in the long term if they are unable to return to work. This is when the injured worker will need to consider other options, such as social security disability benefits.
How is a disability measured in a social security benefits application?
If you are applying for social security disability benefits, you must do so through the Social Security Administration (SSA). When doing this, you will need to have your disability assessed through agencies such as the Disability Determination Services (DDSs).
The DDSs will usually work with your own personal doctor to establish the level of your disability, and the prognosis of it. They will likely want to have access to your medical records. If they consider the information that you provided to be insufficient, they may arrange a consultative examination in order to assess your case in more detail.
Based on the findings of the disability determination, you may be eligible for certain social security benefits. If it is ruled that you are not considered disabled by the SSA, you have the right to appeal the decision. Just because you were denied benefits the first time you applied doesn’t mean that you will necessarily fail in the second attempt.
If you are struggling to gain disability benefits as an injured worker in the state of New York, it is important that you understand your rights and take action as soon as possible.