22 Apr I work part-time. Can I get disability for an injury?

Q. I’m retired and have been working as a part-time driver bringing home patients from therapy. I have been working approximately three hours a day, five days a week. I recently injured my back and shoulder and will probably be unable to work for three to four weeks. Will I be able to collect disability while I’m out?
— Unsure

A. We’re sorry to hear about your injuries.

There are eligibility requirements you must meet to be eligible for disability, and the same rules apply whether you’re working full- or part-time.

You need to have earned at least $303 a week for the preceding 20 weeks, said Jody D’Agostini, a certified financial planner with The Falcon Financial Group in Morristown.

Alternatively, she said, if you have earned at least $15,200 in the base year, you can qualify.

D’Agostini said both the employee and employer contribute to the disability program.

“If you are temporarily unable to work, you must prove that you have a medical condition that keeps you from working,” she said. “A doctor needs to be consulted and confirms your claim as well.”

If you have a long-term disability, you might be eligible for SSDI which is a federal program that provides benefits, she said.

“The threshold to qualify for this is high,” she said. “It must be severe enough that it is anticipated to last for at least 12 months or result in death.”

You also needed to have worked long enough to qualify, and you can find those details on the Social Security Administration’s website.

“If you were injured on the job, you might qualify for worker’s compensation,” D’Agostini said. “The back injury must be work related and a doctor must also confirm this ailment prevents you from working.”

We hope you feel better soon.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

This story was originally published in April 2025.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.