Best Disability Attorneys in Cranston, RI

Yes, as long as you have been disabled for at least one year or expect to be disabled for at least one year. If you expect to be out of work for one year or more due to illness or injury, you should file for Social Security benefits. Most claimants retain the hope of someday getting back to work.

Your work activity may have an impact on your disability claim. It depends on various factors including when you returned to work, how much you earn, how long you worked, why you stopped working, etc. In most cases, a brief work activity will not adversely impact your disability claim if you work less than 6 months and stop working because of your medical condition. Talk to your attorney to discuss the specifics of your work situation and its impact on your disability claim.

You do not have to wait until the Workers Compensation ends. An individual can file a claim for Social Security disability while receiving Workers Compensation, and in many cases, can receive payments under both programs. In some circumstances, an offset may be calculated that could result in a reduction of SSDI/SSI payments.

For Disability benefits and for Disabled Widow and Widower benefit, the cash benefit begins after a five-month waiting period after the person becomes disabled. Also, benefits cannot be paid more than one year prior to the date of the completed application.

Yes, you can file while on sick leave. You should file for Social Security disability benefits as soon as you believe that you will be out of work for a year or more.