Overview of Long Term Disability

If you are disabled or injured, a brief overview of long term disability and its relation to social security disability insurance can help.  Long term disability is that form of disability that lasts longer than the 52-week calendar year, with no real expectation of recovery. Long term disability, on average can last just about two and a half years.  However, during that two and half year time period, there is no guarantee that financial benefits will be granted.

Overview of Long Term Disability Rules

Usually, long term disability would pick up where the short term disability left off, if you have short term disability. Short term disability insurance is a type of private insurance you can buy- the SSA does not offer short term disability insurance. So let’s say that your short term disability insurance through your employer is about to run out. Private long term disability would kick in.  However, as relevant to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), there are a few differences.

Social Security Disability Insurance was instituted to initially provide income to individuals who cannot work due to an illness or a disability.  Social Security Disability Insurance would last until the disabled individual’s disability has improved, but if the condition, for whatever reason, does not improve, then the Social Security Disability Insurance will turn into a long term disability insurance, providing guaranteed income continuously.

There are certain rules in place that govern long term Social Security Disability Insurance:

• First, the disability insurance benefits are only granted after a thorough screening process. 
• The applicant will need to have proof substantiated by a doctor’s analysis that proves that he or she is indeed disabled without any expectation of recovery. 

Some instances that qualify for long term social security insurance are those instances where people are inflicted with a life-threatening, terminal illness that prevents them from being able to work a steady job. 

Getting Legal Help

When it comes to purchasing an individual long term disability policy, (separate from the extended social security disability insurance benefits that you are granted by law), it is probably in your best interest to seek the advice of a disability attorney.  A disability attorney can clarify the fuzzy areas of disability benefits.  For example, some people opt to purchase long term disability insurance despite knowing that they will receive social security disability insurance benefits.