Can you receive disability and unemployment at the same time

Usually, Social Security disability and unemployment benefits are mutually exclusive because they serve different populations. Unemployment benefits are paid to people who are willing and able to work but unable to find a job. On the other hand, Social Security disability benefits are for people who are unable to work. Claiming both disability and unemployment benefits at the same time is unusual, but it is possible in some cases.

For example, individuals may receive reduced monthly disability payments if they can only work in a limited capacity. People with sedentary jobs like a filing job that doesn't require them to stand or lift anything over 10 pounds may qualify. The Social Security Administration conducts residual functional capacity assessments to determine if a person has limited ability to work. If the recipients are unable to find appropriate work through no fault of their own, they may collect unemployment benefits in addition to disability.

The conflict between these two types of benefits lies in the eligibility criteria for each, which is explained in greater detail below. See Social Security Disability Explained and Can I Get Unemployment Benefits? for additional information.

Eligibility: Social Security Disability and Unemployment

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not explicitly deny Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims by those already receiving unemployment benefits. However, you can see by looking at the eligibility requirements why Social Security and unemployment claims often don't mix:

  • Unemployment: Must be ready, willing and able to work on a full-time basis (see "Unemployment Benefits" for more details)
  • Disability: Must be unable to work a full-time job ("substantial gainful activity") for 12 months because of a disabling medical condition. If a person is expected to be unable to work for 12 months, this qualifies as well.

A 1999 U.S. Supreme Court case held that Social Security disability claims "did not inherently conflict" with other types of benefits. However, it is up to the claimant to prove that his eligibility for unemployment benefits is not in conflict with a disability claim.

Receiving Both Types of Benefits

Individuals receiving both unemployment insurance and SSDI face possible repercussions for double dipping. It is possible for an individual to erroneously receive unemployment insurance despite being ineligible for unemployment due to his ability to qualify for SSDI. In some states, an individual who erroneously receives unemployment insurance must pay back the state.

This can occur while a recipient of unemployment insurance awaits a decision on his application for disability insurance. In applying for disability insurance, new circumstances may disqualify the recipient for unemployment insurance. Withholding information from a state employment insurance office can constitute fraud, potentially resulting in criminal prosecution as well as a hefty fine.

Recent Legislation

In June 2013, a handful of U.S. senators introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent individuals from receiving both SSDI and unemployment insurance. This legislation is called the Reducing Overlapping Payments Act. If the Act passes, the SSA will be required to suspend disability payments during any month in which a recipient also receives unemployment insurance. In addition, the Act would ensure the SSA has all the necessary information to be alerted to overlapping SSDI and unemployment insurance payments.

If your case is especially complex, or you have additional questions about disability and unemployment, you may benefit from a consultation with a Social Security Disability Insurance lawyer. An attorney will understand how to navigate the system and ensure everything is filed correctly. Contact an experienced SSDI attorney today.

Becoming disabled is more than just a physical problem. Unable to work due to declining health, individuals with disabilities often face financial hardships as well. While a disabled person might immediately file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, there is a minimum five-month wait period. Due to the vast number of disability applicants, approvals can take up to three years in some cases. Unfortunately, the financial responsibilities of life do not stop during difficult times.

Many individuals are forced to look for other means of financial assistance during this time. Some people turn to unemployment benefits as a means of support. While this may seem like a good idea, applying for unemployment can hurt a claimant’s ability to earn disability benefits. As the two programs serve very different purposes, applicants who apply for both may appear to be contradicting themselves.

How Are the Requirements for Unemployment and Disability Different?

When an individual applies for unemployment benefits, the person is affirming that they have a desire to work and are actively seeking work, but that they are unable to find a suitable job. The typical unemployment candidate is capable of work but has often been laid off from their job for one reason or another. Because unemployment programs are state-based, the exact rules that govern them vary from state-to-state.

On the other hand, when a person applies for the federally-run SSDI program, they are stating that they have a health impairment that is so severe that it results in an inability to work at all. Further, they are attesting that their health condition will prohibit them from working for at least one year, but likely much longer.

Can you receive disability and unemployment at the same time

Understanding the difference between the two programs should make the contradiction quite obvious. When applying for SSDI benefits, you are stating that you are incapable of working at gainful employment because of a severe health condition. When applying for unemployment benefits, you are affirming that you are ready, able, and willing to work, but that there are no opportunities available to you.

While the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not explicitly prohibit individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits from earning an SSDI award, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will most certainly take into account the fact that the claimant is stating that they are actively seeking employment, and yet are also too ill to work.

The issue of “double-dipping,” as many people call it, has prompted lawmakers to take the matter to Congress. Multiple bills have been introduced throughout the years that have sought to bar individuals from receiving both unemployment and SSDI at the same time. Thus far, none of the proposed bills have been made into law.

Are there Exceptions to the Rule?

As with most things, there are certain exceptions to the rule. For example, an individual might have lost their job and be receiving unemployment benefits, and then become disabled. These individuals might continue to collect unemployment while applying for disability benefits. In other unique circumstances, an individual over the age of fifty might have a disability that prevents them from keeping their previous job, and yet may still be capable of performing other work for which they have not been trained.

Still, these circumstances are rare. In fact, a 2012 report from the Government Accountability Office showed that fewer than one percent of SSDI beneficiaries also receive unemployment insurance benefits at the same time.

What Should I Do If I Want to Apply for Both Programs?

First and foremost, the essential rule in applying for either of these programs is to be honest. Under no circumstances should a claimant try to hide that they are actively pursuing financial assistance from both programs.

The SSDI application process is complex, and only becomes more confusing when adding in a second benefit program. Seeking the assistance of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney is essential in these situations. If you have any doubt about how unemployment benefits impact your SSDI claim, you should contact a Disability lawyer or advocate immediately.

Helpful Resources

  • How Can I Stay Afloat While Waiting For SSDI?
  • How Unemployment Benefits Might Affect a Processing Claim

Can you collect unemployment and short term disability at the same time in PA?

The answer to both questions is a qualified “yes!” In Pennsylvania, you can collect both unemployment and social security disability benefits under the right circumstances.

What is the most approved disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

Can you get Edd and SSDI at the same time?

Can I receive Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance benefits at the same time? No. You cannot receive Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance benefits at the same time.

Can you collect unemployment and disability at the same time in NY?

If you become disabled while you are unemployed You may not collect unemployment benefits and disability benefits for the same period of time.