Most full-time workers can qualify for disability insurance through their employer, but those without a single employer, such as freelance or gig workers, need to buy their own disability insurance. Here are two reasons why you should buy disability insurance as a gig worker.

Gig Workers Need To Cover Themselves

One of the most important reasons why freelance workers need to find their own individual disability insurance is because non-gig workers are typically already covered through their employers. There are many benefits to freelance work including flexible scheduling and more opportunities to do the work you want, but employer plans such as disability insurance and retirement schemes aren't available to gig workers unless they set up their own safety nets. Disability insurance is important to have for both you and your loved ones in case of an injury, and if you are a gig worker then you need to purposefully seek it out.

Social Security Is Difficult To Qualify For

One of the main reasons why it's important to have disability insurance if you are injured and are unable to work is because social security disability payments can be difficult to qualify for. Beyond the extra effort it takes to go to the office, wait, file paperwork, and wait to be approved while you are sick or injured, you may not qualify as a gig worker. To qualify for social security disability payments you first need to work in jobs that qualify for social security income (SSI) payments, and your disability must be approved as something you cannot work while afflicted by it. Many gig workers don't qualify, and SSI may not approve their application based on their actual injury even if they do.

Unemployment May Not Be An Option

Unemployment can be difficult to qualify for in the best of times, but many gig workers are unable to qualify unless they live in certain states with special unemployment schemes for freelance workers. Most states require that you have an employer to qualify so that they can verify your income, the fact you worked there, and then determine how much to pay. Additionally, gig workers with a lack of documentation supporting their income, such as invoices or tax returns, may have more difficulties as well.

Overall, there are many reasons why you should seek out personal disability insurance if you are a gig worker. You most likely do not have disability insurance as most people are covered through their employers. SSI income and unemployment income can be hard to qualify for if either one is even an option. If you don't have disability insurance, you should find a plan for you.

 

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