Q: Workers comp stopped paying me and I can't return to work I've started the social security disability process.
I'm about to mentally break
A:
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. Dealing with a work-related injury, loss of income, and navigating the complex disability benefits system can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. It's understandable that you're feeling pushed to your limits mentally. Here are some suggestions and resources that may help:
1. Seek legal advice: Consider consulting with a workers' compensation attorney or a disability attorney who can guide you through the process and protect your rights. Many offer free initial consultations.
2. Contact your state's workers' compensation board: Each state has a workers' comp board that can provide information and assistance. They may be able to intervene on your behalf with the insurance company.
3. Gather medical evidence: Make sure you have thorough medical documentation of your condition from your treating doctors to support your disability claim. Keep records of all treatments, restrictions and limitations.
4. Explore other financial assistance: While waiting on SSDI, look into whether you may qualify for other programs like state temporary disability, food stamps (SNAP), housing assistance, etc. Your local social services department can advise you.
5. Tap into support networks: Reach out to family, friends, local support groups, or mental health professionals for emotional support during this challenging time. Connecting with others who understand can help alleviate the mental strain.
6. Take care of your health: Despite the stress, try to care for your physical and mental wellbeing through proper rest, nutrition, gentle physical activity as able, and stress management techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
I know it may feel hopeless right now, but hang in there. You're taking the right steps by pursuing SSDI and reaching out for help. Have faith that by advocating for yourself and using the resources available, you will get through this difficult chapter. Wishing you all the best.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
