Dispelling Common Social Security Disability Myths

16 February 2015 by Jonathan Phillips

When you are unfortunate enough to develop a disability, you may be aware that there are benefits available to help you survive, but many people are not aware that many of these benefits are administered through the Social Security program. Sadly, this is just one example of the misconceptions and lack of information that many people have about Social Security and its role in protecting people. In particular, there are two other myths that many people considering filing for disability need to be aware are false. 

Myth: Social Security Disability Is Available To Anyone

While many people can obtain disability benefits through the Social Security program, it is important to note that there are requirements that can prevent some people from pursuing this option. In particular, individuals are typically required to have paid into Social Security for at least the previous ten years in order to qualify. This stems from the fact that these benefits come from a person's previous contributions to the program. 

Luckily, there are other options available for individuals that do not qualify for Social Security Disability. For example, the Supplemental Security Income program is designed to provide a safety net for individuals that are ineligible for Social Security Disability. While deciding which option is best for you to pursue can seem like a daunting task, an experienced social security attorney, such as Gieg Law Offices, will be able to help you choose the option that is most likely to yield success for you. 

Myth: Disability Benefits Are Only For Individuals That are Permanently Disabled

There are many injuries and medical conditions that can result in a person being temporarily disabled. Sadly, these people may not realize that there are government benefits available to those that are disabled but expected to eventually recover. In order to obtain these benefits, a person will usually be expected to meet the requirements of being disabled for at least a year. 

Unfortunately, proving these cases can be rather difficult, and without these benefits, many people facing this problem would have no way to survive. Luckily, there are attorneys that will aggressively represent you during these proceedings, and if they building a thorough argument around your case, you may find your odds of being approved for benefits greatly increases. 

Disability benefits can be the difference between living relatively comfortable or having nothing at all. Sadly, these benefits are often misunderstood, and this can lead people to make some relatively serious mistakes when deciding on an option for their needs. Realizing the truth behind these common disability myths will help you better understand your options when it comes time to make a decision. 

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