Types of Benefits That May Affect SSDI Benefits
Some benefits will affect your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, while others won’t. It’s important to have a clear understanding of how your benefits will impact one another so that you can plan for the future accordingly. If you’re unsure whether or not your SSDI payments will be affected by other types of benefits you may receive, you can contact a Social Security Administration (SSA) representative or a disability attorney.
Types of Benefits That Can Affect your SSDI
It doesn’t come as pleasant news, but there a lot of benefits that could affect the amount of SSDI for which you qualify. Below are a few of the benefits that could reduce or eliminate your SSDI benefits.
- Workers’ compensation
- Windfall Elimination Provision (pension based on your work from employers who didn’t withhold Social Security taxes)
- Government Pension Offset (pension from a federal, state, or local government based on work where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes)
Also, government disability benefits that you receive for non-work-related injuries or illness can affect your SSDI. Examples of these types of benefits are listed below.
- Civil service disability benefits
- State temporary disability benefits
- State or local government retirement benefits based on disability
Benefits That Do NOT affect SSDI
There are several public benefits that will not affect your SSDI eligibility, such as those listed below.
- Veterans benefits
- State and local government benefits you receive from jobs in which your employer withheld Social Security taxes
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Additionally, private benefits, such as those from private pensions or from private disability insurance will not affect your SSDI benefits. However, it’s important to note that while your private insurance will not affect your SSDI, the reverse isn’t necessarily true. Your insurance carrier may reduce or terminate your benefit payments if/when you start receiving SSDI. You’ll want to check your policy for details.
How much will the SSA reduce your SSDI benefits?
The SSA calculates the reduction by first adding your SSDI benefits (including payments to your eligible family members) with your other benefits (such as workers’ comp or civil service disability benefits).
The SSA explains: “If the total amount of these benefits exceeds 80 percent of your average current earnings, the excess amount is deducted from your Social Security benefit.”
For instance, let’s say prior to becoming disabled, you were making $4,000 per month. Then, you sustained a serious injury on the job. Based on your earnings, you and your family are eligible for $2,200 per month from SSDI. However, your injury was work-related, and you receive $2,000 per month in workers’ compensation.
“Because the total amount of benefits you would receive ($4,200) is more than 80 percent of your average current earnings ($3,200), your family’s Social Security benefits will be reduced by $1,000,” the SSA explains.
An SSDI Attorney Can Help Calculate and File SDDI Benefits
For questions about disability benefits, or for help filing or proving your claim, call Rob Levine and Associates. We have seven offices in key locations throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and have helped scores of disabled Americans get the benefits they need and deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at 866-LAW-SSDI (529-7734).
