The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) issued a study in June showing that more and more workers who become disabled have used their retirement savings to cover expenses caused by the disability.

With foreclosures across the country driving down the value of homes, little equity is available in a home to help someone who has been injured tide themselves over until disability coverage kicks in. Statistics show that one in 10 workers entering the workforce today will become disabled before retiring. It is an often overlooked threat to long-term financial security, according to CDA.

Becoming disabled can limit your ability to earn. Failing to plan for disability can leave you to rely on the Social Security Administration for disability income, which on average is less than a $1,000 a month. According to a 2007 CDA survey, six in 10 workers do not know how they would manage an income-limiting disability.

American workers have been required to take on more responsibility for their own personal financial wellbeing, as many companies look to cut costs. The study suggests that most are not planning accordingly. Planning for your future should include insurance coverage designed to provide for your needs should you become disabled.

If you are already facing financial problems because of a disability, you may need an attorney to help fight for the benefits you deserve from Social Security. Contact an experienced attorney through SocialSecurityHome.com.

How Long Can I Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability payments are unlike other long term disability insurance programs where the plan is defined and you may only receive benefits for a specified period of time or up until a certain payment level is reached. If you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income you may be able to receive benefits until you are able to return to work or you reach retirement age. If you are disabled until retirement age your Social Security Disability payments will be converted to retirement benefits instead of disability payments.

Social Security Disability benefits can be discontinued if you choose to return to work and are able to engage in “substantial gainful activity”. The Social Security Administration will consider you not disabled if you are able to engage in substantial gainful activity and are able to make more than $940 per month.

If you would like to try to return to work the Social Security Administration has created a trial work period program for individuals who would like to test their ability to work. The Social Security Administration will not consider the individual healthy and disability free, but will allow an individual to perform services for at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period to test their ability to work. If you are considering a trial work period it is important to contact the Social Security Administration or a Social Security Disability attorney for details for this program.

Will My Social Security Disability Case Be Reviewed?

The Social Security Administration will continue to do Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) for your Social Security Disability claim until you are able to return to work or reach full retirement age. The Social Security Administration will review your medical files and most recent health information to verify that you have not made any substantial medical improvements.

The Social Security Administration schedules reviews for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income cases every one, three and seven years. Due to backlogs with in the Social Security Administration system reviews are seldom done on time. It is important, however, to be ready for the reviews and keep all medical and financial records.

The Social Security Administration does not end an individual’s Social Security Disability benefits unless there has been substantial medical improvement, the individual returns to work and make more that $940 per month or for Supplemental Security Income benefits if the individual’s resource and income level rises above the program threshold level. Recent medical advancements and technology do occur but in reality the number of individuals who lose their benefits is very low.

If you have more questions regarding Social Security Disability benefits or have recently lost your Social Security Disability benefits a Social Security Disability lawyer can help you. Social Security attorneys are experts at navigating the Social Security Disability process and can take the hassle out of getting your Social Security Disability benefits. Contact a Social Security Disability Attorney today.