If you're suffering from a disability, what are you options? Social Security Disability is a social safety net that can help you as you look for a way forward in the economy, but there are other ways to look towards recovery or a better way of life. As you work on a Social Security claim or wait for a decision, consider these disability financial security options to prepare at the same time.

Personal Injury Compensation

Were you injured or affected by someone else? Was it an individual or a business? If someone else caused your problem, it's absolutely wrong to shoulder the responsibility yourself and move on. Even if you know--or think--that the person(s) responsible won't have the money or won't be willing to pay up, there are legal options to explore that may open up other doors.

First, personal injury compensation can give you legal redress for the situation. It's fine to continue working on a social security disability claim; the most complicated issue that could happen is that you get too much money for your personal injury claim, and all you need to do is report that to social security. You won't get in trouble unless you try to hide it.

Second, consider looking towards multiple parties. If you were injured in a store, at a business, or at a work site, was it specifically that business's fault? It may have been caused by faulty machinery or a bad product, and if the business was doing everything they should have, the vendor or manufacturer may be responsible.

You don't need to decide which party should be ultimately responsible. An attorney can handle that issue, along with a court room if the question lingers too long.

Balancing Multiple Income Options And Social Security

With any option, the same statement needs to be repeated: report your income to Social Security. Your official documentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will say as much, but some people wonder about exceptions and specific amounts of money. Report everything, especially if it's taxable income or tracked by a business.

Social security is meant to be supplemental assistance. If you can earn money, you don't need social security, but the system also understands that disabling conditions can come and go. Some disabled people earn money for weeks or months at a time, then have a really bad month. In these situations, they would receive a reduced amount of social security or none at all, but they wouldn't be kicked out of the system.

This goes for working at a job, winning a lawsuit, or being paid out of pocket by someone else. If you're going to school, you need to report any scholarship money that doesn't go directly to the school. The same goes for Veterans Affairs disability and GI Bill payments.

There are a few exceptions, but you shouldn't figure these out on your own. Speak with a Social Security disability attorney, like those found at Law Center For Social Security Rights, to discuss your situation and to get help if your payments have been reduced or removed by the system.