Are you currently receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits but are eager to get back to work? Suppose you have been improving since your serious medical condition or injury put you on long-term disability leave. In that case, some options allow you to go back to work part-time but returning to work after a disability full-time is a different story.
For example, if you are still awaiting a legal settlement or have benefits that supply a more considerable income than your previous position, you can risk no longer receiving Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) and LTD benefits upon your return. However, depending on your situation, there can be options to resume working and still receive SSDI.
Here are four tips for returning to work after a long-term disability:
Contact Your Attorney
During a long-term disability case, it is essential to have an LTD lawyer who will help you through every step.
An attorney will guide you through the LTD benefits, including your income-earning limits on Social Security. Since every disability case is different, it is essential to know your rights. Your lawyer could also make you aware of what jobs you can work.
Approval From Your Doctor
When you start looking into getting back into the workforce, it is vital you get in contact with the medical professional who has been taking care of you. Having your doctor give you the clear with proper medical documentation will allow you to work again. They should give you a rundown on what work is safe to do without interfering with your health any further. Your doctor should also monitor your progress to follow the rules of your long-term disability agreement.
Ticket to Work Program
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers programs that help people slowly get off their benefits while finding the right job for them. The Ticket to Work program is set up to assist those who receive SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) get back into the workforce. The program provides employment networking opportunities, career counseling, and job placement. While this program is designed to get people off of long-term and short-term disability benefits, you will be able to keep your LTD benefits for a period of time, especially if you can’t find a job straightaway.
Make Sure You Are Ready
After dealing with a long-term disability, it’s important to remain positive as you re-enter the workforce. You have to remember that you may not be able to perform the same duties that you used to at your previous job. While your physical health is being questioned, your mental health plays a significant role in getting back out. After being unable to work for a long time, it can be overwhelming to get back into the grind.
Are you ready to get back to work? The highly trusted professionals at RMS Law are dedicated to ensuring you get the LTD benefits you need to get back on your feet. As Philadelphia’s #1 long-term disability lawyers, we know what it takes to represent you after an injury or illness affects your life. Contact us today for more information!