If I receive Social Security disability, am I disqualified from getting other injury payments?

It’s not uncommon for those living with disabilities in Florida to receive more than one type of disability benefit. After all, you probably paid into a pension or insurance fund for years while you were working-why shouldn’t you receive the full benefit of those funds now?

The problem is, the Social Security Administration considers its disability payments to be a last resort-a way for injured parties who have no other support to receive income. If you already receive benefits for your condition, you may see your Social Security payments reduced-or even denied-even though the money you currently collect may not be enough to live on.

A few disability resources that can affect your Florida Social Security disability benefits are:

• Workers’ compensation. It is possible to receive Workers’ Compensation and Social Security benefits at the same time. However, your monthly Social Security payments may be drastically reduced, depending on the amount you receive.
• Governmental benefits. If you paid into Social Security retirement funds or a private pension, these will always be paid before disability benefits. In some cases, even when you did not pay Social Security taxes on a private pension (such as while working for a non-profit), that income could still be deducted from your benefit payment.
• Military retirement or VA benefits. Those receiving VA Disability or Military Retirement funds should be able to collect Social Security disability benefits at the full rate. However, veterans living on military support are often denied for Social Security disability coverage-even though the benefit systems are legally required to be treated as separate entities.
• Personal loans, cash gifts, or other stipends. It takes several months for the first Social Security check to arrive, and many people rely on family for food, transportation, and even a place to live. As long as you are unable to work, financial assistance from friends or family should not affect the amount of your disability payment.

It’s important to remember that the Social Security system is not infallible. They may overestimate the amount of your supplemental income, assume you have benefits that you do not receive, or deny benefits because you are deemed not sufficiently disabled.

The most effective way to get your benefits denial reversed is to appeal your claim. A Palm Beach Social Security disability lawyers can get your case to court, where a jury will see your condition firsthand. Call Fetterman & Associates today at (888) 819-4770 to get your story told, and win the benefits you rightfully deserve.