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 Insurance. These programs are administered by different agencies and follow unique eligibility requirements. This was not always the case, with both programs becoming claimable together in 2000.

In practice, however, it is very difficult to be a recipient of both plans.

The reason why it’s difficult to receive both unemployment benefits and disability benefits is that the requirements for each contradict each other. To receive unemployment benefits, you need to be actively seeking work. On the other hand, to qualify for disability benefits, you must be unable to work.

Minnesota is currently the only state where you may encounter difficulties in receiving both benefits. In the past, many states had laws that lowered the amount of unemployment benefits if the recipient was also receiving other types of Social Security support. However, this practice has been eliminated throughout the US. Nevertheless, Minnesota’s regulations on this matter will remain in effect until July 3, 2022.

When it comes to SSI payments, only income earned from work can decrease the amount of support you get. Luckily, unemployment benefits are not classified as work income. Therefore, receiving unemployment benefits won’t impact 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.