Can You Collect Disability And Social Security At The Same Time?

You cannot, as a general rule, collect disability benefits and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. However, the general rule would not prevent you from collecting disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income program while also receiving either Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security retirement benefits.

This article explains how Social Security disability programs work. It also explains concurrent benefits with each other and with retirement benefits. If you have questions or want more information about the disability benefits available, contact a disability lawyer in Ohio.

What Is The Relationship Between Social Security Retirement And SSDI?

The Social Security Act created a retirement system for American workers who contribute by paying Social Security taxes on their earnings. However, many people become disabled and unable to work before reaching retirement age.

The SSDI program allows disabled workers to receive monthly payments equivalent to what they would be eligible for retirement benefits through Social Security. The money to pay Social Security retirement and SSDI comes from worker and employer contributions to the Social Security trust funds.

When you qualify for SSDI, your monthly payments will continue until you reach full retirement age and become eligible for retirement benefits. The age at which you become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits depends on your birth year. For instance, if you were born in 1960, you may begin drawing retirement benefits at age 67.

The transition from SSDI to retirement benefit is accomplished automatically. You’ll receive an SSDI payment one month, but the next month, you’ll get a Social Security retirement payment.

Getting More Money Each Month

Your retirement payment should be the same as your last payment through SSDI. There is an exception where your retirement benefits may be more than what you receive from SSDI.

The exception occurs when your SSDI benefits are reduced because you were eligible for and received disability payments from the following sources:

• Workers’ compensation
• Black lung program
• Federal, state, or local government programs

These payments that reduce SSDI benefits do not affect retirement payments, so you may continue receiving them along with your full retirement benefit.

You may qualify for SSD concurrent benefits

SSDI is not the only program through the Social Security Administration that pays disability benefits. SSI is available to adults 65 years of age and older and to adults and children who are blind or disabled.

Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history to qualify for Disability benefits. There are, however, limitations on income and resources. You cannot have resources or assets valued in excess of $2,000. Couples where both of them are eligible for benefits cannot have assets valued in excess of $3,000.

Income guidelines to qualify for SSI severely limit how much you can earn from work or receive as income from other sources. The maximum monthly federal benefit through SSI is $943 for an individual in 2024. A disability lawyer can review your current financial situation and determine whether you qualify for SSD through SSI.

Your lifetime earnings largely determine the amount you receive in monthly SSDI benefits before becoming disabled. If your SSDI benefit payment is low enough each month, you also may qualify for SSI. This is called concurrent benefits, but what you get through SSDI will reduce what you receive through SSI.

For example, if you receive $600 in monthly SSDI benefits, SSI treats it as unearned income. SSA regulations allow you to exclude the first $20 of unearned income each month, so the amount of your SSDI that counts to reduce what SSI pays is $580. Deducting $580 from $943 leaves you with $363 from SSI and $600 from SSDI as your concurrent benefits.

Learn More During A Consultation With A Disability Lawyer

A disability lawyer is a source you can trust for accurate and up-to-date information about disability benefits. Learn more by scheduling a consultation today.