Can you collect unemployment benefits and social security disability at the same time?

In nearly all of the US, there are no rules which prevent you from receiving both unemployment benefits and Social Security disability support. This is also true for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and unemployment benefits, thanks to recent laws changes since the year 2000.

In practice however, it is very difficult to be a recipient of both plans. This is because the criteria for receving both are at odds with one another; to collect unemployment benefits you must be actively searching for work while the only way to qualify for disability benefits is being unable to work.

The only state which you will have problems receiving both benefits is Minnesota. It used to be common that states had laws that reduced the amount of unemployment benefits received if the recipient was receiving other parts of Social Security support. While this has been repealed across the US, Minnesota’s rules around this will continue until July 3, 2022.

For SSI payments, it is only income from work which could reduce the amount of support you receive. However, as unemployment benefits are not considered work income then receiving the support won’t reduce the amount of SSI payments you could receive.

What about Supplemental Security Income and disability benefits?

Eligibility requirements for SSI benefits are fairly strict as the programme is designed to support specific groups of low-income Americans. Recipients of SSI payments must be aged 65 or older, blind or disabled. The eligibility for SSDI payments are more difficult as claimants must have a disability, from this list, that prevents them from working.

For claimants, there are no rules in place to prevent them from receiving both parts of benefit support. However, receiving both payments could take you over the income threshold for SSI payments as SSDI payments are included in counting towards the eligibility for the former.