If your doctor tells you not to work can you collect disability?

Having a medical professional tell you that you should not be working due to a injury or sickness is a good start to satisfying the requirements needed for one to collect disability benefits.

If you are relying on a personal policy or group (work) policy to pay you, than you must satisfy the full requirements set forth by that coverage. Either on a total disability or residual disability basis.

If you are relying on Social Security benefits, the requirements are a bit more strict. The inability to work needs to be expected to last at least one year or be fatal.

Having a medical professional recommend that you don't work is a good reason to submit a claim.