You may still be able to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you receive other types of benefits, but it will depend on what sort of other benefits you receive and how much those benefits amount to. Typical other benefits you may be receiving include workers’ compensation, short or long term disability benefits associated with an employment based injury or accident or VA benefits. You may find that a disability benefits attorney will help you obtain the disability benefits payment you need.

Qualifying For Disability Benefits When Receiving Other Compensation

There are two types of disability benefits that may be obtained from the SSA. Social security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) may be obtained if you have accrued sufficient social security credits because of your work history. The amount you receive in other benefits will be taken into account if you have applied for disability benefits through the SSDI pathway but will not necessarily disqualify you from obtaining disability benefits at all. SSDI eligibility depends on you not earning more than a specific amount each month, called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). This is set at $1,550 a month in 2024 or $2,590 if you are blind.

The other type of disability benefits program is the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This is designed to provide disability benefits to applicants on low incomes and few assets. For these people, any other benefits they have may disqualify them from obtaining SSI payments as they might be over the income threshold.

Any applicant who might receive other benefits still has to show that they qualify for disability benefits based on other factors, especially meeting the criteria for the specific disability they are suffering from. Symptoms of the disability are usually matched against a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book. Evidence showing that symptoms meet these criteria must be provided.

How Do Other Compensation Benefits Impact SSD?

Of other benefits you might already receive when applying for SSDI, you will find that VA benefits do not disqualify you from obtaining benefits through the SSA. However, if you obtain workers’ compensation or short or long term disability benefits already, these could affect the amount of SSDI benefits you can obtain.

The SSA will add the amount of other benefits to the amount of SSDI payments you would normally qualify for and compare this with the wage you were receiving before you stopped working. If the total combined sum is 80% or more than the average wage you were earning when you stopped working then this will affect the amount of SSDI you can obtain. It will be reduced until the total combined amount of benefits is 80% of your last wage.

Get Connected With a Disability Lawyer

As you can see from the details outlined above, it can be difficult obtaining the correct amount you are entitled to when applying for a disability benefit through the SSA when you are already obtaining other benefits. You are advised to get connected with an independent social security attorney who subscribes to the website and may be able to help with your case. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation today!