If you have suffered an injury that has impaired your ability to work, you may be wondering if you qualify for disability insurance. The answer depends on several factors.
What factors determine whether an injured person qualifies?
Qualifying for disability insurance
To qualify for disability insurance you must meet several requirements:
- Must have worked in a job covered by disability insurance
- Must have a medical condition that meets the insurance’s definition of disability
- Usually, must be unable to work for at least one year because of the disability
If you qualify, you may receive benefits until you can return to work. If you reach full retirement age before you can return to work, your disability benefits may convert to retirement benefits.
Definition of disability
The exact definition of disability varies by the insurance program. Some programs may cover partial disability or short-term disability. Others, only pay for long-term, total disability. To qualify for these programs you must meet the criteria:
- Your injury prevents you from doing the work you were doing prior to your injury
- Your injury prevents you from doing some other type of work
- The disability caused by your injury has lasted or will last for at least one year or result in death
If the disability you have suffered due to your injury meets the definition of disability and you meet the qualification requirements for the disability insurance program, you may qualify for disability insurance benefits. If you are initially denied coverage, it may be possible to obtain coverage by filing an appeal.