4 Reasons to Apply for Disability Benefits if You’re Too Sick to Work

By Michelle Shvarts
Principal Attorney

If you are too sick to work, you should strongly consider applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. A Los Angeles disability benefits lawyer can assist you in completing your application. Applying for benefits can be very important to you and to your family. 

4 Reasons You Should Apply for Disability Benefits When You Cannot Work Due to Illness

There are lots of reasons why you should apply for disability benefits from the SSA when your illness prevents you from working. Four of the top reasons why it make sense to apply for benefits include the following:

  1. SSA Disability benefits may be your only source of income: Most people do not have private disability insurance coverage. Workers’ compensation disability benefits are available only if you got disabled due to work. If you cannot work and don’t have any other coverage to provide disability benefits, the SSA benefits could be the only money you can bring in. 
  2. SSA Disability benefits could be provided to you until your retirement or death: As long as you remain eligible based on your disability and work status, you should be able to continue receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits until you become eligible for retirement benefits. This means you can remain financially secure throughout your life even if your disability stops you from working. 
  3. Your disability benefits could help you get access to medical coverage: If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you could be eligible for Medicaid.  If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can become eligible for Medicare after 24 months. 
  4. You paid taxes and deserve these benefits when you need help: You pay into the SSDI program with your Social Security taxes. Funding for SSI comes out of general funds, so you support this program with your regular federal income tax payments. You have supported these programs and should be able to get benefits when you need them. 

A Los Angeles disability benefits lawyer can help you to go through the process of applying for benefits so you can get the benefits that you both need and deserve. Contact an attorney for help as soon as you get sick. 

About the Author
Ms. Shvarts is the managing attorney for Disability Advocates Group. She opened Disability Advocates Group to assist individuals who became disabled and unable to work to obtain the benefits they need and deserve.  Ms. Shvarts and the rest of the team at Disability Advocates Group are dedicated to assisting individuals obtain Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.