Texas workers generally hope to stay employable and healthy for as long as possible, but sometimes the symptoms related to illness and injury lead to a disability that cannot be overcome. If you become disabled by a serious ailment that prevents you from working for longer than a year, you can pursue a disability claim and possibly qualify to receive Social Security disability payments.
Approximately one-third of U.S. workers become disabled before they retire. This translates to a lot of people who might qualify for Social Security disability (SSD) payments.
What conditions frequently qualify people to receive SSD?
Here are some of the most common reasons why workers become disabled in the United States.
Arthritis: Depending on the severity of the condition, arthritis can be severely disabling. You might suffer from arthritis that is so severe that you can no longer operate a computer or sit at a desk for an extended period of time.
Back pain: Lower back pain is an especially common cause of disability. When back pain is severe enough, workers might not be able to carry objects, sit at a desk, stand or perform other job duties for a significant length of time.
Heart disease: The stresses of employment can worsen heart disease conditions. Heart disease can also result in a worker not being able to perform his or her job duties anymore.
Cancer: Cancer is a fatal and debilitating illness that can cause sufferers to be bed-ridden.
Depression: You might not think of depression as a disabling illness until you’ve become so mentally and emotionally fatigued by the condition that you can’t get out of bed. You might not even have enough energy to eat — let alone perform your job duties.
Diabetes: Diabetes is another common condition that leads to a vast array of health complications that ultimately can render someone unable to perform his or her job duties.
Consider applying for government assistance if you’re disabled
If you can’t work due to illness or injury, the Social Security Department might be able to help. With the assistance of a qualified social security lawyer, you can apply for Social Security disability and — if your claim is successfully navigated — receive money to help pay for your living expenses.