In this blog from Sharon Christie Law, Sharon Christie answers the question: Can I go on vacation while applying for Social Security Disability Benefits? Now it is not a topic that is discussed very often, but it is a very important one, and often times overlooked. When someone is applying for social security disability benefits, it does not mean that you must lose all sense of normalcy as well. Even though their lives have been turned upside down because they can no longer work, they still can and should be with their families and friends. This may include an annual trip to the beach, lake, or tourist destination from time to time.

Many clients at Sharon Christie Law will call and ask, Can I go on vacation while applying for Social Security Disability Benefits, or will it hurt my case? That is a great question! The first thing that you must think about is what will the judge think if the topic comes up during your case? If it does become a topic during your case, you have to put in context, and you have to look at whether this person was able to do a full family vacation or a full vacation and participate in all the events without discomfort. What we tell our clients is that if you are going on some type of vacation you need to keep track of any problems that you have so if you are driving to the beach and you have to stop every forty0five to sixty minutes because you are in pain what we need to know as lawyers is that if you get to the location of the vacation but are unable to participate in any of the family events because of the pain, fatigue, or other problems that you are having, that is something we need to know.

This is because it helps us explain to the judge, that while yes this person went on vacation to be with his or her family, they could not participate in the activities due to their illness or injury. So the important part to note is that if you go on vacation with your family or friends, you must document to your lawyer or doctors that the illness or injury prevented you from participating and you must make sure to explain this to your judge if it is brought up in your case.

About Sharon Christie Law: 

Sharon Christie is the owner and founder of Sharon Christie Law, and is an attorney and former nurse. Her team of professionals and paraprofessionals help people win Social Security Disability Benefits! Our Social Security Disability Law Firm serves clients in Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC.