If you have recently entered the world of work, you probably do not give a second thought to disability. Yet, if you are 20 years old, you have a one in four chance of becoming disabled before you reach retirement.
While a disability could be devastating at any age, it may feel even more so if you are young. You might feel that you had your whole life ahead of you, and now it is ruined.
Firstly, don’t despair
While it may feel like the end of the world right now, if you look around, you will see that many people have disabling injuries, and the majority of them still manage to enjoy life. It may be worth getting psychological help or joining a support group if you are struggling to come to terms with things.
Secondly, find out how to claim Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD)
Bear in mind that it may be harder to claim due to your young age because you likely have more options for work. While anyone can potentially retrain and find a different career, it is often easier when you are young.
Someone approaching retirement age might not have time to fully develop a new career. They might also lack the innate technological know-how that most young people now grow up with. As more and more jobs are going online, that opens more possibilities for people who are comfortable with the technology for work that is achievable despite a physical disability.
Consider legal help to find out more about your options to claim for disability and any entitlements to retraining.