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Remember To Secure Disability Insurance – May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month

Posted on May 24, 2013

Schmidt Kramer Harrisburg Personal Injury And Social Security Lawyers are supporting the press release of The Pennsylvania Insurance Department wanting to remind people that planning ahead can protect you financially in the event of a disability.  May is Disability Awareness Month.

Private disability insurance policies are available on an individual or group basis. The coverage kicks in if a medical condition prevents you from working.  Disability insurance provides a portion of your paycheck. It is divided into two categories, short and long term, based on how long you are out of work.

Short-term disability kicks in soon after a claim is made, but it generally stops within two years.  Long-term disability takes longer to start, from 31 days to a pre-set time, but can last until the disabled person’s death. Among insurance products, long-term disability is among the most expensive.

If your employer offers disability coverage, find out if the coverage is enough to meet your income needs if you have an accident or disabling illness. If it is insufficient, your employer may offer the option of increasing your disability benefit, often through a voluntary payroll deduction.

There are other insurances which do replace income. These include Social Security disability benefits. These benefits can be paid to workers when a disability is expected to last at least 12 months and is so severe that gainful employment cannot be performed.

Also, an employer’s workers compensation insurance provides limited replacement income for job-related injuries.

If you are trying to secure private coverage, to see if a company or agent is licensed, go to www.insurance.pa.gov  and click “online resources.” Consumers with questions may also call the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s toll-free hotline at 877-881-6388.

If you are disabled and need to file for social security disability, you should contact a social security disability attorney immediately.  A Schmidt Kramer social security disability lawyer  can answer the questions you have regarding your rights, help with filing an initial application for social security, or represent you with filing an appeal if you have been denied disability.  Contact Schmidt Kramer today for a free consultation at 717-888-8888 or (717) 888-8888.

Also, download our book “Who Pays The Bills When You Are Injured At Work?”.