There are a variety of different benefit programs available to those with major medical challenges. If someone in Michigan gets hurt on the job, they may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Those benefits can provide disability pay and medical coverage for the treatment someone requires because of a job-related health issue.
In more extreme cases where an injury or illness leaves an adult completely unable to work, they may apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The disability pay available through workers’ compensation will pay, at most, 80% of someone’s typical weekly wages. Additionally, SSDI benefits are important for those unable to work but far from generous. Leveraging both, however, can help affected individuals to make ends meet.
Is it possible for someone with a medical condition related to their job to qualify for both workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits?
Yes, some workers can receive both types of benefits
There are some kinds of benefits that are incompatible. For example, unemployment benefits are typically only available to those expecting to return to work. Someone would be very unlikely to simultaneously qualify for SSDI and unemployment simultaneously because of their conflicting requirements. However, workers’ compensation benefits are available to those who can no longer work as well as those hoping to return to their job as soon as possible. There is no rule that precludes someone from claiming both types of coverage at the same time.
Unfortunately, applicants won’t necessarily receive full benefits if they qualify for both workers’ compensation and SSDI. What someone will receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA) depends on how much support they receive through workers’ compensation. If they qualify to receive the full 80% maximum disability benefit possible, they may not receive full SSDI benefits. prorates benefits based on other sources of income.
If someone makes more than the state average weekly wage, however, maximum benefit amounts may apply. The pay someone receives through workers’ compensation may not be 80% of their typical weekly income, and therefore they could receive full SSDI benefits. Proper medical documentation is crucial for securing both permanent disability benefits through workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits.
Seeking legal guidance and learning more about the systems in place to protect those with job-acquired health issues may help people more effectively cover their expenses when dealing with a disabling medical condition.