Q: What other benefits will affect my Social Security Disability benefit payments?
Nearly everyone collecting Social Security Disability, or SSD, benefits will tell you that they would rather be back working and earning a standard paycheck. Why? Simply stated, the amount an individual can earn while on SSD benefits is limited to a percentage of their former earnings, so they receive a fraction of their old salary.
Many people that do not understand SSD assume that recipients receive the same amount of money as they would if they were working. This assumption is false; most people receive about 80 percent of their former average salary, but that amount is often stretched very thin as the individual often has expensive medical issues that requires regular care and attention.
When a person receives SSD, they may also be receiving other types of disability benefits. SSD is considered a public source, so if the individual also receives benefits from another public source, their SSD benefits may be reduced for the duration of the other benefit payments, which is called an offset.
Common Public Disability Benefits That Affect SSD Benefits
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- State temporary disability benefits
- Civil service disability benefits
- State retirement benefits based on disability
Benefits That Will NOT Affect Your SSD Benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Administration benefits
- State/local benefits if Social Security taxes have been deducted from your earnings
The reduction, or offset, is calculated by totaling the applicable benefits against your former average earnings before you became disabled. These benefits can only total 80 percent of your average earnings; if they are greater, the remaining amount will be deducted from your SSD payments. If the other benefits end or are reduced, your SSD will increase accordingly.
Do you have more questions about Social Security disability benefits and offsets? Reach out to us today by calling a Lancaster Social Security Disability attorney from our firm or starting a live chat now!