Can You Collect Social Security and Disability Insurance Benefits?

When you suffer an accidental injury or develop a condition that makes you unable to work, you can get disability insurance benefits. But you must have an existing insurance policy with a private insurer. Aside from this, you can also benefit from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). 

The question, however, is if you can receive both insurance benefits simultaneously. We provided the answer in this article. Keep reading to find out what it is. 

When Can You Collect Social Security and Disability Insurance Benefits? 

You can receive social security and disability insurance benefits if you buy long-term disability insurance from a private insurer. Most insurance companies mandate those who want long-term disability coverage to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance. 

However, if you are a recipient of SSDI benefits or have applied for them, it is not compulsory to have long-term disability insurance. Private insurance companies often include a clause in the disability insurance policy on the timeframe for applying for SSDI. For most insurers, the duration is one year from when you start receiving payments. 

If you apply for SSDI and get approved, you will not receive full disability insurance benefits. Instead, the insurance company will offset the SSDI payment amount from your long-term disability insurance benefit. 

As a result, the combination of your long-term disability and SSDI benefits will equal the amount you received from your insurer before getting Social Security insurance. Note that having an existing long-term disability insurance policy will not prevent you from getting SSDI. However, if you are receiving workers’ compensation from your employer or any other public disability benefit, it might affect how much you’ll get as an SSDI benefit. 

Can You Collect SSDI and Short-Term Disability Benefits?

Yes, you can also collect Social Security and short-term disability benefits. This is possible if the short-term disability insurance policy payments are still active when you start receiving SSDI payments. 

Since SSDI covers people whose injury or condition has lasted for at least a year, and short-term disability benefits don’t last long, it is often hard to receive both simultaneously. However, if you start the SSDI process before the one-year limit, you might be able to get both benefits at the same time.

At Goldstein Healthcare, we guide individuals, families, and business owners on the best insurance plan for them. We will help you understand better how Social Security and disability insurance work, then create a customized plan based on your needs. Contact us for more information.