Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Social Security Disability: Can I Receive Both?

If you have suffered a work-related injury that has left you disabled, you may be able to receive both workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits. However, collecting benefits through both programs is rare. Below is an overview of how an experienced workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help you receive both types of benefits.

Arizona workers’ compensation

Most employers in Arizona are required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

In order to qualify for workers’ compensation, you must prove that your injury is work-related and that you can no longer perform your job’s required duties. If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, then your employer’s insurer will pay all of the medical expenses related to your injury. In addition, you may also be entitled to receive benefits for a percentage of income you’ve lost due to your injury. However, it is important to remember that workers’ compensation benefits only last as long as you’re unable to return to work.

Social Security disability benefits

If you are unable to gain substantial employment due to a long-term disability, you may be entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability benefits are provided in the form of Social Security disability insurance and supplemental security income.

To qualify for either, you must have a disability that prevents you from working for at least a year or has the potential to result in your death. There are a number of possible conditions that allow disabled individuals to receive social security disability benefits, and an experienced Arizona workers’ compensation attorney will be able to explain these to you in detail.

Workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits

If you qualify for both workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security disability benefits, the total amount of benefits received from both programs may not equal more than 80 percent of your income at the time of your injury. If the benefits that you receive from both programs exceed 80 percent, then the Social Security Administration will reduce your benefits accordingly. However, it is important to note that this rule only applies to workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits. If you are receiving pension benefits or payments from private disability insurance, this will not usually have an effect on the amount of Social Security disability benefits that you may receive. For more information on workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits, we highly recommend that you contact an experienced Arizona workers’ compensation attorney.

Arizona Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Workplace injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially. Therefore, if you or a loved one have been injured on the job, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced Arizona workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to compensation. In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you may be eligible for certain types of Social Security disability payments. In order to determine your eligibility for these programs, please contact Arizona Injury Law Group, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, at 602-346-9009 for a free consultation.