Getting hurt on the job can complicate your life, causing financial strain and significant stress. If you were injured at work, you might have questions about what benefits you are entitled to and whether they’ll pay for your medical expenses and lost wages.
Workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are separate programs designed to help injured workers. But can you receive benefits from both at the same time? In some cases, the answer may be yes.
At Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C., we want to provide straightforward answers to your benefits questions and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To learn more about collecting SSDI and workers’ comp, contact us for a free case review.
Can You Apply for SSDI While on Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation benefits cover the costs of medical treatment and lost wages when a worker is hurt on the job. Most Pennsylvania employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage under Pennsylvania law.
SSDI benefits are administered by the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) and funded through payroll taxes. To be eligible for SSDI benefits, an applicant must work for an employer covered by Social Security and be diagnosed with an injury or illness that meets the SSA’s definition of a disability. There are other criteria to meet, so it’s best to speak to an attorney to determine if you qualify.
Because these are independent programs, you may be able to apply for and receive benefits from both programs if you meet all eligibility requirements.
Does Workers’ Compensation Count as Income for Social Security?
If you are receiving workers’ compensation, it is vital to understand how these payments may impact your SSDI benefits. If you receive both workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits for the same disability, your workers’ compensation benefits may reduce the amount you can collect in SSDI benefits. This reduction in benefits is sometimes known as an offset. Your Social Security benefits will be reduced if your workers’ comp and SSDI benefits combined are more than 80 percent of your average earnings.
Should You Apply for SSDI Before or After a Workers’ Compensation Settlement?
You may be making do with your workers’ compensation benefits. But that doesn’t mean you should wait to apply for SSDI. If you meet the eligibility guidelines for SSDI benefits, you should apply before your workers’ compensation benefits end. That way, you have a source of income while your SSDI application is still pending.
Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Pennsylvania Today
Navigating benefits programs can be time-consuming and complicated. A skilled Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through the application process and help you pursue the benefits you deserve. If you need help collecting SSDI or workers’ compensation benefits, trust the legal team at Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. We can help you move forward after a workplace injury. Contact our office to arrange a free case review.
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For more than 20 years, our attorneys have been helping injured workers navigate the complex Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system. We empower workers with the information and the representation they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families’ future.
