Can You Collect Workers’ Compensation and Disability at the Same Time?

Workers’ compensation benefits include medical compensation and wage benefits. In addition, if your work injury prevents you from working, you may be eligible for disability benefits while you recover. This leads many workers to wonder if they can collect workers’ compensation and disability insurance simultaneously.

In short, yes, it is possible to receive workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits at the same time. To do so, you will need to qualify for both. You should also understand that receiving SSD benefits may affect how much you can collect from your workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ Compensation Versus Disability Benefits

First, let’s look at the key differences between workers’ compensation and disability insurance. There are several to note between the two. 

How Workers’ Compensation Works

Workers’ compensation, or workers’ compensation, is insurance your employer purchases to cover workers who get injured at work:

• In Georgia, employers with three or more regular employees must carry workers’ compensation, so most workers have coverage.
• You get covered by workers’ comp from your first day of employment.
• After a work injury, you can file a workers’ comp claim to cover your medical costs and supplemental income if you can’t work for a certain period.

To qualify for workers’ compensation, your injury does not have to happen while you are performing work duties. However, it does need to occur while you are at work. For example, in some situations, you may be covered if you are injured while traveling for work. 

How Social Security Disability Works

SSD is a federal program, and benefits get provided through the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you have worked a job, you’ve paid into SSD through a portion of each paycheck.

SSD is meant to provide you with income if you become disabled and unable to work. You must have a disabling condition that prevents you from working. Unlike workers’ compensation, your disability does not need to result from a work-related injury or condition.

To qualify for Social Security Disability, you must have:

• Earned enough work credits over the past 10 years
• Paid into SSD through your previous employment
• Have a condition that the SSA recognizes as disabling
• Be unable to work for at least a year or have a condition that is expected to end in death

Both workers’ compensation and SSD benefits typically continue until you can return to work regularly, if at all possible. 

How You Can Collect Both Workers’ Compensation and Disability

Since workers’ compensation and SSD are two separate entities, receiving one does not disqualify you from collecting the other. In fact, employees who were hurt at work can receive workers’ compensation as helpful supplemental income if they are now disabled and waiting to get accepted for SSD benefits. 

However, what you collect from both workers’ compensation and disability benefits can’t be more than 80% of the previous income you were earning.

According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), while you can be paid Social Security and workers’ compensation at the same time, your Social Security benefits might be reduced as a result. This might limit the total benefits you can receive, as the SSA will subtract from your SSD benefits to bring the total you’re receiving below 80% of your previous income.

Workers’ compensation is typically provided on a more temporary basis than SSD. If your workers’ compensation ends while you are still getting Social Security benefits, you will need to let the SSA know. You might be eligible for higher Social Security benefits if you no longer collect workers’ compensation.

Defining Disability: Workers’ Compensation Versus Social Security

Keep in mind that the SBWC and SSA define disability quite differently. Under workers’ comp, you are covered if a work injury prevents you from performing your current job duties. You typically receive temporary total disability benefits, which assume you will return to work after your treatment.

On the other hand, Social Security can only be collected when you are totally disabled. That means you cannot perform any type of work, including previous jobs or any other jobs. If you are permanently disabled because of your work injury, you might be able to receive permanent total disability benefits concurrently as SSD benefits.

You may also have access to temporary partial or permanent partial disability benefits through workers’ compensation if you have to take a lower-paying job when you return to work. In this situation, you would not be able to collect SSD benefits at the same time because you are still making an income.

Getting Approved for Workers’ Compensation and Disability Benefits

After a work injury that leaves you disabled, you should get started with your claim as soon as possible. You will need to:

• Report your work injury to your employer
• Complete and file a Form WC-14 with the SBWC
• Send a copy of the form to your employer and their insurance company
• Get all the necessary medical treatment for your injuries
• Contact a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you with your claim and protect your rights

If you win your workers’ comp claim, it doesn’t affect your ability to seek SSD benefits or whether or not you’ll get accepted for benefits. That being said, you should also get started on your SSD application, as it can take many months to get approved for benefits.

Denials Are Common for Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Benefits

Unfortunately, many applicants get denied for SSD benefits and workers’ compensation on the first try. However, don’t get disheartened. There are many legal options available for you that you can take advantage of to ensure you get the financial benefit you deserve. 

Remember, workers’ compensation and SSD benefits aren’t a form of charity. You worked hard for the benefits they offer, so don’t just throw in the towel after your first rejection. You can make appeals and use the law to your advantage. The best way to do this is to seek legal assistance as soon as possible.

It’s best to have a lawyer evaluate your application or your workers’ compensation case so that you have the best chance at approval. But, remember, don’t wait until the last minute to act on your situation. The longer you wait, the more challenging it becomes to get compensation or your benefits. 

What Our Lawyers Can Do for You

We highly recommend contacting a lawyer who has experience with both workers’ compensation and SSD claims. Depending on your situation, there are sometimes advantages to filing for one before the other. Our lawyers can advise you on the best course of action for your situation and your needs.

For workers’ compensation and SSD cases, our lawyers can: 

• Help you file all your legal applications, documents, and paperwork accurately so that there are no issues. 
• Prove your workers’ compensation or SSD case by gathering evidence that supports your injury or condition. 
• Talk to experts in various fields to obtain their supporting testimony on your behalf. 
• Represent you and your best interests at all times against the insurance company or the SSA. 

Talking to one of our lawyers comes with zero risk or obligation. Remember, our main goal is to see you succeed and win your benefits. You pay us nothing upfront, and if we can’t win your case or get you approved for SSD benefits, you don’t have to pay us for our services. 

Talk to a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free Today

Both workers’ compensation and disability benefits can help you make ends meet after an injury or condition prevents you from working. At John Foy & Associates, we have more than two decades of experience helping individuals with both types of claims, and we can assist you, too. 

Contact us today, and we’ll give you a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your options. Call us or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.