Can You Get Both Social Security Disability & Workers’ Compensation?

If you’re injured on the job in Utah, the financial help you need to might come through Social Security Disability or workers’ compensation. And depending upon your specific circumstances, you may be awarded benefits from both programs.

SSD is funded at the federal level, while workers’ comp is a state-administered program. The qualifications for determining eligibility for each type of benefits are different, and there’s a ceiling to how much you can collect each month. Here’s what you need to know if you plan on applying for SSD and workers’ compensation.

What’s the difference between workers’ comp and Social Security disability?

Qualifying for Social Security Disability in Utah

To be approved for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, you will need to be able to prove that you’re disabled – and the SSA has a strict definition of the term. You’ll only be considered disabled if the following conditions apply:

  • You have a medical condition that prevents you from performing basic work-related activities
  • The severity of your condition has made you unable to continue working at your current Utah job
  • Adjusting to other work isn’t possible because of your condition, age, past employment experience and/or a lack of transferrable skills
  • You won’t be able to return to work or perform any substantial gainful activity for at least a year

In addition, to be eligible for disability benefits, you must have enough Social Security work credits. The number required depends upon the age you become disabled.

Qualifying for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Utah

To qualify for workers’ compensation, you will need to be able to prove that you suffered an injury or became ill as a direct result of your job duties. The laws and procedures are set by the state of Utah, and through the program you may be awarded:

  • Medical benefits to cover health care expenses
  • Temporary total disability benefits
  • Temporary partial disability benefits
  • Permanent partial disability benefits
  • Permanent total disability benefits

Workers’ comp covers any injury or illness incurred in the course of employment, regardless of how long you’ve been on the job. The moment you started work on your first day, you became eligible for the program.

The Maximum Amount of Benefits You Can Receive

You may qualify for both SSD and Utah workers’ compensation, but there’s a limit to the amount of benefits you can receive under both programs. The total won’t be more than 80 percent of your average monthly earnings.

If the amount of SSD and workers’ comp benefits you’re eligible to receive adds up to a higher total, an offset applies. In other words, the excess will be deducted from your Social Security benefit.

Do you have questions? Or are you ready apply for Social Security Disability benefits? The attorneys and team of professional advocates at Mountain West Disability, based in northern Utah, have the skill, knowledge and expertise to guide you through the SSD claims process. We’ll help you determine if you qualify for benefits – and if so, we’ll work hard to make sure you get an approval.

For a free consultation with an experienced Social Security Disability advocate, contact our office in Murray, Utah, today.