JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

When you’re unable to work due to a life-altering illness or disability, it can be frustrating adjusting to the lack of income in addition to the difficulties you face in your road to improving your health. The Social Security Administration (SSA), along with some other government agencies, offer disability programs to help lessen the financial burden on disabled individuals throughout the country. However, it’s important to note how other disability benefit programs may impact the amount of Social Security disability benefits you receive.

Benefit payments from private sources, such as private pensions or insurance benefits, will have no effect on Social Security disability benefits. Certain public benefit programs such as workers’ compensation may reduce the total amount of your monthly benefit, but will not impede you receiving benefits.

Workers’ compensation is distributed by federal or state workers’ compensation agencies, insurance companies or employers themselves for injuries or illnesses sustained while working on the job. If you have sustained a long-term disability as a result of a workplace injury, you may file for Social Security disability in addition to workers’ compensation, though your benefits could be altered based on how much money you are receiving. In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, other public disability payments such as civil service disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits and state or local government retirement benefits based on a disability may impact the amount of Social Security disability benefits you can receive.

The SSA determines the amount of your total benefits by a simple calculation. Your total accumulated public benefits and SSD benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings before you became disabled. It’s important to note, however, that some public benefits do not affect your Social Security disability benefits. They include Veterans Administration benefits, state and local government benefits, if Social Security taxes were deducted from your earnings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

If you should have any question concerning Pennsylvania Social Security disability (SSD) benefits, the application or appeal process, contact the law firm of Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo at 888-807-WORK (9675). Your first consultation with us is free and we’ll help you determine your next steps and untangle the confusing process of applying for Social Security disability benefits.