Workers are allowed to work and collect Social Security disability benefits if they meet certain criteria and remain within income limits. The good news is that if you were laid off from your job, you could still collect both unemployment and disability benefits.
In most states, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can also collect full unemployment insurance benefits. In some states, there is a provision that offsets unemployment payments by up to 50 percent if you are already receiving disability benefits. These benefits are considered income and may reduce the amount that you are eligible to claim.
While SSI might reduce the amount you can receive in jobless benefits, your unemployment income does not reduce the amount of your social security benefits. Authorities only consider income wages when calculating your monthly stipend, so they won’t count your unemployment benefits against you.
Filing for Unemployment
You can file for unemployment by phone, in person, or online. Your eligibility for benefits, the amount you will receive, and the amount of time you can collect them will vary from state to state.
The weekly benefit will be direct deposited into your account or mailed to you directly. You will be required to regularly report to the state’s unemployment office, update them about your search for work, and inform them of any paid work you are performing.
There was a clause that social security could be reduced for beneficiaries who were laid off and received unemployment benefits in the past. That “Social Security offset” law has since been repealed, and in every state except Minnesota, only wages are counted as income when it comes to social security benefits.
If you have been laid off, apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible so that you can start receiving payments immediately.
Filing for Social Security Disability
Filing for social security disability benefits can be challenging. If you are already dealing with the consequences of your disability, having to deal with yet another task can be daunting. The stumbling block that most applicants face is that the requirements for some social security disabilities and unemployment contradict each other.
For instance, to apply for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI), you must be unable to work. In order to receive unemployment insurance, you must actively look for work. When you apply for SSDI, admitting that if you have applied for unemployment insurance may disqualify you for benefits. Many people get denied funds when they don’t fully understand how these systems work and how to maximize their chances of approval.
If you are planning to apply for SSI, SSDI, or unemployment insurance, it helps to consult an attorney to help you to get the benefits you deserve after filing a social security disability case (more details in the link). An attorney will ensure that your application is filled out correctly, making it more likely that it will be accepted and approved.
Whether you are seeking social security disability benefits for the first time or you’re simply wondering if your new laid-off status will affect your existing benefits, it pays to have an expert in your corner to help you to navigate the tricky maze of social security and unemployment rules.
Many people find themselves losing their benefits because they don’t meet the criteria for one or the other. So, don’t risk losing your benefits or having them delayed. Talk to a social security disability expert today!
About the Author:
With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma C. Dengler decided to combine her skills. In the past, when she was involved in proceedings of her own, she witnessed firsthand the weight of legal language. A convoluted terminology can easily disarm the average American. Therefore, she set off to empower her readers by making the law more accessible to them. Although she has covered all areas of civil and criminal law, insurance-related issues, anher area of specialty are personal injury cases.
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