Can You Get Both Disability and Social Security Benefits At The Same Time?

Do you have a disability that has caused you to be unable to work? If so, you may be experiencing significant financial stress – and that’s understandable. The financial stress that a disability can cause is considerable. If you find yourself in this situation, you may wonder what type of disability benefits you are eligible to receive and if you can collect more than one type of disability benefit at the same time. Let’s take a closer look at your options together.

What Types of Benefits Are Available?

The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits. These include:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits: These benefits are intended for “insured” individuals. To be insured, an individual must have been employed at a job for a sufficient length of time through which they regularly paid a portion of their salary to the Social Security Administration.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits: Unlike SSDI benefits, an applicant does not need to be “insured” to receive SSI benefits. Instead, he or she must have income and resources below a certain limit established by the Social Security Administration. That limit may change annually, so it is essential to consult an attorney who knows and understands the law regarding your eligibility.

In order to receive either SSDI or SSI benefits, an applicant must have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more. In order to determine whether a condition qualifies for benefits, the Social Security Administration will often consult its “Blue Book.” This is a listing of impairments and their accompanying symptoms that the SSA considers disabling. However, if your condition is not in the Blue Book, this does not mean you won’t qualify for benefits. It simply means you may have to provide additional medical proof of your condition.

Private Disability Benefits

In addition to benefits from the Social Security Administration, disabled individuals may also apply and qualify for privately funded disability benefits. These can include short-term disability benefits, which generally cover disabilities that last for a limited period of time, as well as long-term disability benefits, which are intended for disabilities that may last years or can even be lifelong.

These disability benefits are typically obtained through policies that individuals purchase from private insurers on their own or provided by an employer. Terms and conditions will vary from policy to policy, including the amount of benefits paid and the duration of those benefits.

Which Benefits Can Be Collected Simultaneously?

Depending upon the circumstances involved, an individual may qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time. This will depend upon a variety of factors, including the onset date of the disability, the duration of the disability, and the individual’s work and earnings history, as well as their current income and resource level. As a variety of factors are involved, it is always wise to consult an attorney who understands the law and can give you advice regarding your particular circumstances.

Many disabled individuals also often want to know whether they can collect disability benefits through private insurance policies at the same time that they collect Social Security disability benefits. The short answer to this question is that you can often collect both types of benefits at the same time.

While this is generally true, it is important to realize that although you technically can collect both types of benefits at the same time, the amount of your LTD benefits may be reduced by the amount you receive in SSDI benefits. LTD insurance policies often have an “offset” provision that reduces LTD payments by the amount of SSDI benefits received. It is also not unusual for LTD carriers to require policyholders to apply for SSDI benefits in addition to receiving LTD benefits.

Understandably, the distinctions between the various types of benefits and the manner and amount in which they are paid can seem confusing. That’s understandable, as the law can often be complex. At Keener Law, we’re here to help.

Keener Law – Your Disability Benefits Attorneys

If you have a disability, chances are, you want to do all you can to ensure that you fully assert your rights under the law to pursue the benefits you need and deserve. The truth is, though, that the law can be complicated. It can seem overwhelming to wonder what steps to take first and how to ensure you’re pursuing your claim and moving forward effectively. That’s why our talented and experienced team at Keener Law is here to help. We understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’re ready to put that knowledge and experience to work for you. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.