Social Security Disability / Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance (SSD/RSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two federal U.S. frameworks that provide disability payments (SSI). When you need help collecting the disability benefits for which you qualify, our Florida disability attorney firm can help.
Many people get SSD and SSI confused, and for a good reason. Both types of benefits involve payments to people with long-term disabilities. The disability standards are identical, and you can apply for both at your local Social Security office.
However, the two types of benefits programs flow from two different budgetary sources and have different eligibility criteria. SSD benefits come from the federal government’s pool of Social Security taxes, and your eligibility stems from your work history that contributed to those taxes.
The SSI benefits come from general revenues and taxes, and your eligibility depends upon how limited your income and resources are.
At The Law Offices of Lyle B. Masnikoff, P.A., we know that obtaining Social Security Disability benefits is complicated, with multiple points along the journey when a claimant might endanger their case by making a mistake. Don’t take the chance of being denied Social Security Disability or SSI.
Continue reading to discover more facts about SSD and SSI benefits. Call our experienced Social Security Disability lawyers at Lyle B. Masnikoff and Associates P.A., at (877) 817-4127, for additional information about your potential claim.
1. In Florida, a worker can collect workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability benefits simultaneously.
Collecting SSD benefits does not affect your ability to also collect workers’ compensation for on-the-job injuries. However, the insurance responsible for paying your workers’ compensation may choose to limit your workers’ compensation benefits depending on your SSD benefits.
2. A worker can receive Social Security Disability benefits as the result of a work-related injury.
Employees are eligible to receive SSD benefits as the result of workers’ compensation accidents. Keep in mind that this is not automatic, and two distinct systems are at work here. The SSD system is separate from the workers’ compensation system.
The SSD system goes through the federal government, and federal laws govern it. In contrast, each state regulates the workers’ compensation program. A disability lawyer can easily navigate the legal complexities inherent in these systems to protect your rights.
3. Supplemental Security Income is a separate program from Social Security Disability.
The federal SSI program seeks to meet the basic needs of people who legally qualify as disabled but have little to no income or prospect of income. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for SSI.
People who haven’t participated in the workforce for very long and have limited income typically apply for SSI benefits. To qualify for SSD claims, you need to have worked a certain number of years and contributed a certain amount of Social Security taxes into the system.
Any disability that prevents you from returning to work within one year would qualify for SSI. SSI also has strict qualifications about your assets, savings, and bank accounts.
4. Your SSD payment amounts depend on a wide variety of factors.
To be eligible for SSD, you first must have a medical condition that qualifies, and you generally must be unable to work for a year or more. SSD benefit payment amounts can depend on many factors, including:
- Your age (if you reach full retirement age, your benefits convert to retirement benefits)
- The “work credits” you’ve earned working for jobs covered by Social Security (the calculations are complex)
Keep in mind that Social Security payments do not depend on your level of disability. There is no scale or percentile to determine how disabled someone is. Legally, you are either disabled or not disabled.
The Veterans Administration may have some input about your personal injury that can influence the judge’s determination of how much you can receive.
5. Social Security Disability lawyers are closer than you think!
Are you tired of Googling “disability lawyers near me“? We get it. Social Security attorneys exist to represent you in court and help you handle and present your case. Although the law never requires you to hire an attorney either during the initial application or throughout the case, the system often favors those who do.
A lot of paperwork filing is necessary to support your claim, and many legal complexities are hard to navigate. People often don’t call a lawyer until their application is denied and they desire to go through an appeal. Instead, it’s better to pursue your case with expertise on your side from the beginning.
Are You Seeking a “Disability Attorney Near Me”?
If you need guidance and legal representation with your disability case, reach out to our team at The Law Offices of Lyle B. Masnikoff, P.A. You will not have to pay any fees until we win your case, so you have nothing to lose and much to gain. We work with a diverse clientele, including Spanish and Creole speakers, so we have a bilingual team eager to assist you. We serve clients throughout Florida with convenient locations in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Fort Pierce, Miami, and Port St. Lucie.
For a free consultation, call The Law Offices of Lyle B. Masnikoff at (877) 817-4127. Call Lyle—he’ll go the extra mile!
Copyright© 2021. Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Lyle Masnikoff & Associates, P.A.
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd #550
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 598-7120
https://workerscompfl.net/
Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A.
7380 Sandlake Road, Suite 500
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 896-0116
https://workerscompfl.net/
Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A.
110 E Broward Blvd #1700
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 581-9115
https://workerscompfl.net/
Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A.
543 NW Lake Whitney Place, Suite 106
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 461-9181
https://workerscompfl.net/locations/port-st-lucie/
