When an injury or illness limits a person’s ability to work, they may qualify for disability benefits. However, disabilities come in various types and degrees of severity, and these distinctions are extremely important when seeking benefits.
If you are applying for Social Security Disability, you should understand the difference between permanent total and partial disability so you can submit all relevant documents correctly.
Permanent total disability
Permanent total disability applies when a person is completely unable to return to any kind of work due to a severe injury or illness. This category includes conditions like complete paralysis, the loss of both eyes or the loss of limbs. The Social Security Administration recognizes that individuals in this category cannot perform meaningful work, so they may receive higher disability payments.
Permanent partial disability
Permanent partial disability refers to cases where a person can still work in some capacity but with limitations. This category includes conditions such as the loss of vision in one eye, the loss of a single limb or partial hearing loss. Although these individuals can perform some work, the disability may restrict their ability to earn the same income as before. Payments for permanent partial disability are generally lower than those for total disability because the person can still earn some income.
How benefits differ
The amount of compensation received varies between the two types of qualifying disabilities. Permanent total disability usually results in higher payments, as the person cannot earn income from any work. Permanent partial disability offers lower payments, reflecting the person’s ability to work in a limited capacity. Factors such as the severity of the disability, the person’s earning potential and work history influence the final benefit amount.
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance without knowing the difference between types of disabilities can result in incorrect documentation. This can then lead to a denial of your claim, leaving you without any form of compensation until you are able to resubmit the application.