- Our Frequently Asked Questions about Workers' Compensation.
- Social Security Disability: Read how we can help you.
- Check out our helpful list of Healthcare Resources.
- Creditors – we are a unique one-stop shop for successful debt collections.
June, 2011
Friday, June 6, 2011
Author: Eric Jones Law
The Ticket to Work program is voluntary. You get free training, job referrals and other services you need to work. You can give your “Ticket” to an approved provider of your choice. The provider can be either the state vocational rehabilitation agency or an employment network. You and the provider will work together to make a work plan. The plan states exactly what services the provider will furnish.
If you work with a state vocational rehabilitation agency and your Ticket is not assigned to them, once they close your case you may assign your Ticket to an employment network if you are still eligible to participate in the Ticket program. An employment network is a group that may help you find a job and provide other employment services for free. An employment network can be a single organization, or a group of providers. An employment network also can work with others outside their network to provide services
What happens to your benefits? If you have completed your trial work period, are working and have substantial earnings, your Social Security disability benefits may stop. There are some work incentives that may allow you to keep your cash payments for a while, and Social Security can quickly start your benefits again when your income drops or you stop work. If you are only receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then payments are reduced as earnings increase until your benefits are completely eliminated by your earnings.
Although your cash benefits may cease, your health care will not necessarily stop. Most Medicare beneficiaries can maintain their coverage for at least 8½ years after returning to work.
If you begin to work and stop, you can ask Social Security to start your benefits again, including Medicare or Medicaid. You will not have to apply again if your disability causes you to stop working within five years after your benefits stopped. You also may get temporary benefits—as well as Medicare or Medicaid—for up to six months while Social Security reviews your case.
HOW WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND OTHER DISABILITY PAYMENTS MAY AFFECT YOUR BENEFITS
Friday, June 6, 2011
Author: Eric Jones Law
Disability payments from private sources, such as private pension or insurance benefits, do not affect your Social Security disability (“SSD”) benefits.
However, workers’ compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce your SSD benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits are paid to a worker because of a job-related injury or illness.
Other public disability payments that may affect your SSD benefit are those paid by a federal, state or local government and are for disabling medical conditions that are not job-related. Examples are civil service disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability.
Some public benefits do not affect your SSD benefits. If you receive SSD benefits and one of the following types of public benefits, your SSD will not be reduced: Veterans Administration benefits; state and local government benefits if Social Security taxes were deducted from your earnings; or Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”).
To calculate if there will be any SSD reduction, first determine the total amount of benefits and if it exceeds 80 percent of your average current earnings, before you became disabled, the excess amount is deducted from your SSD benefit.
