.st0{fill:#FFFFFF;}

There are many shared experiences among the permanently disabled, including the difficulties associated with obtaining government benefits, both medical and financial.

This is but one example. Another would be the social changes facing disabled folks.  It just isn’t the same when one’s focus is altered, or time is limited—-relationships change, preventing, say, visits to friends or travel to as many places.

Unfortunately, too often, this results in the development of depression.  No matter how one slices it, any one condition which prevents the ability to work creates a conduit toward negative and disappointing feelings.  It is important to remember that, in all liklihood, a permanently disabled person simply is not responsible for the disabling condition, and ought to do everything possible to internalize this.  It is vital to overall health to not make matters worse by feeling guilt or assigning blame where it does not belong.

So, one plays the hand they are dealt.

Another shared experience is the accumulation and continuation of debt, at times from services or business arrangements made before becoming disabled.  And the debt goes on—the bills need to be paid, but a permanently disabled person, almost by definition, will be in a position of having access to less money.

Fortunately, there are government programs (and some private organizations) which may absolve the permanently disabled from certain debts.  A forgiveness of debt, if you will.

One specific example is the forgiveness and discharge of student loans.

The obligation to re-pay a student loan can be stressful, especially when knowing that one’s fixed income will always disallow payment of this debt.

As a general rule, a total permanent disability is an injury or illness which is expected to continue indefinately or result in death. In order to make things official, one must obtain a physician’s certificate attesting to the condition, and its result of permanent disability.

Once a person has the documentation, a conditional discharge can be granted for a period of three years from the time one is considered permanently disabled, then discharged permanently and expunged from financial records, without having a negative impact of one’s credit history, as compiled by the three large credit reporting agencies.

The following links will provide direct access to the Department of Education and the forms necessary to file for the discharge.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/disability-discharge

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/discharges.jsp

Advocate

Get a FREE membership to The Disability Digest and learn absolutely every thing (you) need to know about disability.

Brian


My name is Brian Therrien, and I'm a professional researcher. So when a number of my friends went through unexpected downturns in their life and required disability assistance, I left no stone unturned to try and help them.

At first, I was concerned with how to qualify for disability, ... but as I learned more about the system, I realized that people also really needed help with getting approved, maximizing their benefits, and most importantly, supplementing their income without losing their benefits when they were ready to transition back to the work force.

That's why when you subscribe to my FREE disability newsletter you'll get concrete help with ALL the issues you'll encounter in the disability system

Brian Therrien

related posts:


Social Security Disability Check GOOD NEWS


5 Things Social Security Disability Recipients Should Not Do


12 Disability Approval Secrets – Interview With James Mitchell Brown

Questions? Comments? Get in touch... we're happy to help!