Employed adults have to pay taxes from every paycheck that they receive. They will pay income taxes to the federal government and the state, and they will also make contributions to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Most working adults will make use of those Social Security contributions when they retire. Social Security retirement benefits can be an important supplement for those adjusting to life without a direct stream of income. However, workers who develop disabling medical conditions may require support long before they are technically old enough to retire.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are often hard to obtain, as the standard for getting benefits is quite high. However, there is a special rule that applies to blue-collar workers like construction professionals and factory workers.
You may benefit from the worn-out worker rule
If you have pursued a blue-collar profession for at least three-and-a-half decades and your injuries are severe enough to force you to change professions, then you may qualify for SSDI benefits. Although the average worker has to show a total disability, meaning that they can no longer work any job whatsoever, blue-collar workers who have been at their jobs for at least 35 years can receive SSDI if they have a condition that forces them to leave their job.
Typically, to qualify under the worn-out worker rule, you will need to show that you have only a marginal education and that you will never be able to return to the same line of work you previously enjoyed.
How do you prove you can’t work a specific job?
A combination of medical records and employment documents can help you show the SSA that your symptoms prohibit you from doing your job. The more documentation you have of what it takes to do your job and the symptoms you experience, the easier it will be to convince employees at the SSA that you qualify for benefits based on the worn-out worker rule.
Some applicants seeking SSDI benefits will realize that their chances of approval increase if they bring in professional help. Learning more about SSDI benefits and your rights as a blue-collar professional will help you make the most of the programs that exist for your protection.