How To Make Money After Getting Hurt at Work
Did you know about 340 million work-related accidents happen every year? If you’ve recently been injured at work, it can be a big hit to your pockets, keeping you from earning money. On top of that, medical costs and loan debt can pile up. But don’t worry, there are ways to make money while you’re on the mend. Here are five ideas:
1. Tap into Workers’ Compensation
If your injury at work is stopping you from working temporarily, you might qualify for temporary disability benefits from your employer’s workers’ comp insurance. They’ll give you a chunk of your usual salary while you’re out of work. And remember, if you’re injured so badly that your treatment lasts over a year, you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
2. Use Your Private Disability Insurance
If you’ve got private disability insurance individually or through your job, you may be able to claim benefits if your work injury means you can’t earn money. It might be a bit tough, but you have to show them how your injury affects your ability to work and even do chores at home, leading to a loss of household services.
3. Get into a Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Some workers’ comp programs have vocational retraining programs. So if you can’t return to your old job, they can teach you new skills or how to do your job differently. So, ask your insurance company or boss for more information.
4. Look for Part-Time or Flexible Work
If you can work but not full-time because of your injury, you might be able to find a part-time or flexible job that suits your health needs. This could mean doing remote or freelance work. Other nice options are pet-sitting or dog-walking. You can also help out neighbors, family, and friends with odd jobs, like babysitting, if it doesn’t stop your healing.
5. Sell or Rent Your Stuff
If you own your house or have pretty valuable stuff, you can make money off of them. First, you could sell stuff you don’t use anymore on selling platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Or, if you have an extra room in your house, consider renting it on Airbnb to get a little bit of extra money. Just make sure your place is tidy to attract good guests.
Remember, getting hurt at work doesn’t mean your income has to stop completely. There are options to help you through this tough time.