Many injuries can feel like a disability as soon as they happen. They may prevent you from working, and you need time to recover before you are able to return to your job.
For instance, even something as simple as a broken arm could mean that a roofer or a construction worker can no longer earn a paycheck. They have a very physically demanding job, and the broken arm will prevent them from doing it effectively.
But a broken arm generally does not qualify for disability benefits. It is just a relatively short-term issue, and workers may qualify for other sources of compensation, such as workers’ comp benefits if the injury happened on the job. So, how long does the disability have to last for you to receive SSDI benefits?
A minimum of 12 months
The Social Security Administration notes that many people who qualify for disability benefits will have that disability for the rest of their lives. An example could be a spinal cord injury. Even with medical treatment, it may not be possible for someone to heal, and they could be dealing with paraplegia or tetraplegia indefinitely.
That said, the SSA also says that the disability has to last for a minimum of 12 months to qualify. This opens up the potential for benefits to many people who could make a recovery. You may need extensive surgery and physical therapy, but doctors may have said that you are going to recover in the next two to three years. That still may be long enough for you to qualify for disability benefits in the meantime, until your condition improves and you can return to work.
People are often denied when they apply for SSDI for technical reasons, such as failing to demonstrate the length of their disability. It is important to know if you have a right to an appeal and exactly what legal steps to take as you navigate this process.