One moment you are running weekend errands, the next you are facing painful treatments and weeks off the job. A crash can spin life upside down, and when healing stalls, money worries soon follow.
At Johnnie Bond Law, we focus on clear answers and teamwork so you do not feel stranded. This guide walks you through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) options available to Washington, D.C., residents after a serious car accident.
Qualifying for SSDI After a Car Accident in Washington, D.C.
The core rule is simple: you must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity for at least a year as a direct result of crash-related injuries or complications.
SSA applies a strict definition of disability, so documentation must prove both medical severity and work limitations. Even if an injury is not listed, you may qualify by demonstrating that your condition “medically equals” a listed impairment.
Common Car Accident Injuries That May Qualify for SSDI
The Blue Book lists many trauma-related disorders. After a collision, claimants often rely on medical records showing one or more of the following:
- Complex fractures that fail to knit properly
- Spinal cord trauma leading to paralysis or severe nerve pain
- Torn knee or shoulder ligaments with chronic instability
- Third-degree burns covering large body areas
- Traumatic amputations requiring prosthetics
- Moderate to severe brain injury with lasting cognitive loss
- Vision or hearing damage that limits safe job performance
- Speech disorders that block clear workplace communication
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD triggered by the crash
A diagnosis alone is never enough. You must also show how pain, mobility limits, or mental symptoms stop you from past work and any other suitable job.
The 5-Step Evaluation Process for SSDI Eligibility
SSA follows a uniform sequence when deciding claims:
- Are you working over the substantial gainful activity wage limit?
- Is the medical condition “severe,” meaning it limits basic work tasks for twelve months?
- Does the condition meet or equal a Blue Book listing?
- Can you still perform any of your past jobs?
- Can you adjust to other work considering age, schooling, and skills?
If the answer at any step favors your ability to work, the review stops, and the claim is denied.
Meeting the Earnings Requirements for SSDI
SSA looks at two credit tests. The recent work test requires a minimum number of credits earned in the years just before disability, with the count tied to your age at onset. The duration test measures total lifetime credits.
Workers earn up to four credits each calendar year. In 2025, one credit is awarded for every $1,810 in taxable earnings. Younger workers typically require fewer credits, whereas those aged thirty-one and older often need at least five years of work experience from the past decade.
Applying for SSDI: Essential Information and Documentation
Applications can be filed online or by calling SSA. Filing should happen as soon as your doctor agrees that you will be off the job for a year.
You will need:
- Names and contact information for all treating providers
- Diagnosis dates, test results, and prescribed medications
- Complete work history for the past fifteen years
- Recent W-2s or self-employment tax returns
If some records are missing, submit the claim anyway and let SSA help gather the rest. Forms SSA-3368 (adult disability report) and SSA-827 (medical release) are standard parts of the packet.
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Benefits and Car Accidents
When an injury prevents you from working for more than just a short time, long-term disability (LTD) benefits can help cover your expenses while your SSDI claim is still pending. Each LTD policy has its own rules, including the waiting period, how it defines disability, and the maximum benefit amount.
Most group plans use an “own occupation” standard for the first 24 months, then switch to an “any occupation” test after that, so providing regular medical updates becomes essential. Many policies also require you to apply for SSDI, allowing the insurer to offset what they pay by any amount you receive from Social Security.
The Interaction Between SSDI and LTD Benefits
Winning LTD has no bearing on SSA’s medical decision. Yet the two programs coordinate dollars closely.
| Feature | SSDI | LTD |
| Source of Payment | Federal government | Private insurer or employer plan |
| Amount | Based on lifetime earnings record | Percentage of recent salary |
| Taxability | Often taxable if income threshold met | Depends on who paid premiums |
| Offset Rules | No offset for LTD | SSDI creates dollar-for-dollar reduction in many plans |
| Duration | Until retirement age, work attempt, or medical recovery | Policy maximum, frequently ends at full retirement age |
When SSA grants a retroactive lump sum, carriers usually demand repayment of the overlap within thirty days, so setting aside a portion of the back pay is wise.
What Happens to Benefits When Reaching Retirement Age?
At full retirement age, SSDI converts to regular Social Security retirement benefits automatically, and the dollar amount stays the same. No fresh application is needed.
Many LTD contracts stop paying at that point. Some shorten the end date if disability starts near retirement, so reading the fine print early can prevent surprise income gaps.
Start Your Disability Claim with Confidence
Navigating SSDI or LTD benefits after a car accident can feel overwhelming. At Johnnie Bond Law, we explain your rights in plain terms, prepare strong applications, and appeal unfair denials with solid medical and vocational evidence.
Whether you are applying for the first time or dealing with a delay or denial, we are ready to step in. Call (202) 683-6803 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule a free consultation. One conversation can help protect your income, reduce your stress, and move your claim forward.