A serious injury or medical condition can leave you wondering what benefits may be available. If you receive workers’ compensation benefits for a work-related injury and are also considering Social Security Disability benefits, you may question whether you can receive both at the same time. Here is what you should know.
You may be able to receive both benefits
You may be able to qualify for both workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability benefits in some situations. Receiving benefits through one program does not automatically prevent you from seeking benefits through the other. However, each program has its own requirements that you must meet.
Qualifying for one benefit does not guarantee the other
You may qualify for one program without qualifying for the other. For example, a work-related injury may support a workers’ compensation claim, while Social Security Disability applies its own standards when evaluating whether a medical condition qualifies for benefits. As a result, approval under one program does not automatically determine the outcome of the other.
Receiving both benefits may affect payments
You may be able to receive both workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability benefits at the same time, but Social Security may reduce disability payments in certain situations. This adjustment, often called an offset, exists because federal rules limit the amount of disability-related benefits some individuals can receive. As a result, receiving workers’ compensation benefits may affect how much you receive from Social Security.
Making sense of your options
Receiving benefits through more than one program can raise questions that are not always easy to answer on your own. If you are considering both workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability benefits, an attorney can help you understand how the rules may apply to your situation. A little clarity now can go a long way when you are trying to plan for the future.