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Should I File for Social Security Disability or Keep Working?

On Behalf of | Mar 7, 2014 | Blog, social security disability

For many, the decision to file for Florida Social Security Disability is an easy one. In many scenarios, it is clear that an injury or illness is critical enough to severely impair everyday activities. In other cases, however,  a medical condition may come and go. It could even be the treatment itself that makes work difficult. If you’re affected by such a condition, you may be wondering whether or not you should file for disability. Here are some things you should think about before making your decision.

How supportive is your physician?

No matter what condition you suffer from, becoming approved for disability will be extremely difficult if you don’t have support from your doctor. Talk with your physician ahead of time in order to determine what he or she is likely to say to the Social Security Administration when interviewed.

What’s in your medical records?

The Social Security Administration will not only want to know what your doctor thinks; they’ll also want to review your medical records. You have the right to obtain copies of all your medical records, so secure them and read them thoroughly to see what’s recorded. Think about whether or not the evidence in your record would support your claim of disability in addition to making sure that all your symptoms have been appropriately documented.

What resources do you have?

The amount of money you can draw in the way of Social Security disability benefits will likely be significantly less than what you would make if you continued working. Think about whether or not you will be able to live on that amount when making your decision, and then look at ways you could cut back in order to make ends meet. Talk with your spouse about the possible changes to make sure you are both in agreement.

How will you handle not working?

Many people find work to be somewhat therapeutic, even if it is stressful at times. If you were prohibited from working, what meaningful activity would you fill your time with? Of course, a great deal of these decisions do depend on your health; however, by trying to remain active, you’ll likely be helping your condition more than if you were idle.

By taking all these questions into consideration, you’ll be able to make an informed choice as to whether or not you should file for disability. Should you decide to move forward with your claim, feel free to contact us for assistance in filing.