Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be devastating. Of course, the severity of these injuries can vary significantly, but sometimes they are disabling. TBIs are caused by car crashes, falls, or other accidents. Sometimes they are the result of a workplace injury or suffered by active duty military. A TBI can lead to memory loss, problems with hearing, vision, and speech, and can affect mobility. If you are unable to work because of a TBI, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
Further Reading: What Conditions Qualify For Disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two different disability programs. To get an idea of what you might be able to receive for monthly disability benefit payments, review your annual statement that has estimates of disability and retirement benefits as well as your family’s survivors’ benefits.
What Happens When You Are Approved With Traumatic Brain Injury?
If your disability claim for a TBI is approved by the SSA, you will be paid disability benefits from the sixth month following the date of your disability per SSA guidelines. TBIs can have many different effects on an individual. To prove your limitations and how your TBI affects you and your ability to work, you must include hard medical evidence that includes x-rays and scans, physician notes, prescription records, treatment plans, prognosis, and details about restrictions and limitations.
Back Pay And Traumatic Brain Injury
A disability claim for a TBI can be complicated. Make a list of your medical providers along with the service dates, and their contact information so detailed records can be acquired. You must provide supporting medical documentation showing your diagnosis, the severity of your brain injury, the prognosis, the plan of treatment, and how it affects you.
Backpay will be awarded as soon as you are approved for disability benefits by the SSA. You will get backpay dating back to the time of your original filing of the disability application and continuing until the claim has been approved. Most claimants get their first backpay installment within 60 days of their claim being approved.
Retroactive Payments For A Traumatic Brain Injury
The SSA will award retroactive disability payments when applicable. These disability payments may date back as far 12 months prior to the disability application for a TBI being filed with the SSA. Retroactive pay only comes into play if you can show you were disabled before filing your disability application. Any applicant wanting to get retroactive disability benefits for TBI must show that they were disabled for at least 5 months before you apply for SSDI with a TBI.
How To Calculate How Much You Could Receive With A Traumatic Brain Injury
Your benefit amount for disability for a TBI is based on how much you paid into Social Security taxes. The SSA does this by reviewing your earnings history and finding your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). After the SSA has determined your AIME, they will calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA). Based on those figures, the SSA will calculate your monthly disability benefits for a TBI. They also consider your age as well when calculating.
Applying For Disability Benefits
If a TBI has left you disabled, you can start your disability application with the SSA. You can file the application online at www.ssa.gov or get started by calling 1-800-772-1213.
