How to apply for disability benefits in Wisconsin

Workers in Wisconsin who are unable to perform their jobs due to an injury may be able to apply for disability benefits. These benefits may replace some or all of the income lost as a result of that inability. As many as 25 percent of all workers are expected to become disabled before age 67, according to the Social Security Administration.

Those who are no longer able to work due to their disability may qualify for long-term disability insurance. Furthermore, those who are unable to work for more than one year may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. In some cases, employees may have disability coverage through their employer as part of an overall benefits package. Employer-provided disability plans are regulated by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Employees are encouraged to review their plan to make sure that they qualify for benefits. Plans may have exclusions and time limits that may impact a worker’s ability to obtain compensation after being injured. A decision may be made on a claim between 45 and 75 days after the claim has been submitted. Those who are asking for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits may apply online and can only obtain SSDI if they cannot work for more than a year or they cannot have their duties modified due to an injury or medical condition.

Anyone who is injured at work may be able to file for these types of benefits. Those who wish to apply may want to talk to an attorney who has experience with these matters prior to doing so. Having the help of an attorney may also be helpful if a claim is denied.

Source: FindLaw, “Applying for Disability Benefits”, accessed on Jan. 21, 2015

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