Para ver este artículo en español por favor visite aquí. (To view this article in Spanish, visit here.) Show
A person is allowed to receive unemployment benefits and federal disability benefits at the same time, but as discussed below, receiving unemployment benefits could affect a person’s disability benefits in negative ways. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, any unemployment benefits you receive (other than the first $20) will reduce your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar. You have a duty to report income to the Social Security Administration if you are an SSI recipient. If the money received in a month is not spent before the first day of the next month, then it will count toward the $2,000 SSI resource limit ($3,000 for eligible couples). If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), unemployment benefits will not affect the amount of the SSDI payment. It is important to remember that for both SSI and SSDI, the Social Security Administration is allowed to consider a person’s unemployment benefits when deciding whether or not that person is disabled. When a person receives unemployment benefits, the person is certifying he or she is “ready, willing, and able to work.” This certification could be considered as evidence that a person is not disabled. On the other hand, a person can qualify for disability benefits even though he or she is capable of performing a certain amount of part-time work, so receiving unemployment benefits would not automatically disqualify a person from receiving disability benefits. Because receiving unemployment benefits may negatively impact your eligibility for disability benefits, it is wise to speak to an attorney if you plan on receiving both. When you are receiving disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will periodically conduct a review of your condition to make sure you still qualify for disability benefits. If you received unemployment benefits since the last review, that may be considered in a continuing disability review. Finally, people living in New York who received unemployment between March 2020 and September 6, 2021 will not have that money count as income or a resource for SSI purposes. However, if you received unemployment during that time period, it could still be considered in deciding whether you are disabled. Any unemployment received after September 6, 2021 is subject to the regular pre-pandemic income and resource rules. Click here for our article on unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic. (c) Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. ® This article provides general information about this subject. Laws affecting this subject may have changed since this article was written. For specific legal advice about a problem you are having, get the advice of a lawyer. Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office. Last Review Date: October 28, 2021 Workers New York is one of a handful of states that require employers to provide disability benefits coverage to employees for an off-the-job injury or illness. The Disability and Paid Family Leave Benefits Law (Article 9 of the WCL) provides weekly cash benefits to replace, in part, wages lost due to injuries or illnesses that do not arise out of or in the course of employment (WCL §204). If you get injured or become disabled while you are eligible for or are collecting unemployment benefits, and if your injury or disablement results in you being ineligible for unemployment benefits, you are eligible for disability benefits. Disability benefits are covered through your employer's disability benefits insurance carrier or your employer may be self-insured. Disability benefits are cash-only benefits. The benefit:
You cannot collect disability benefits and Paid Family Leave benefits at the same time. The total combined disability leave and Paid Family Leave in any 52-week period may not exceed 26 weeks. Note that the PFL does not provide for the payment of medical expenses. Who is CoveredThe Coverage Requirements page provides information about who is considered an employee under the New York State Disability Benefits Law and information about who is and is not covered for disability benefits. CostYour employer is allowed, but not required, to take a contribution from you to offset the cost of providing disability benefits. Your contribution is calculated at the rate of one half of one percent of your wages, but no more than 60 cents a week (WCL §209). If you have more than one job at the same time, with combined wages of more than $120 per week, you may request each of your employers to adjust your contributions in proportion to the earnings of each employment. The combined contributions may not exceed 60 cents per week. Your request should be made as soon as you enter a second job. There are some accepted disability benefits plans under which you are required to contribute more than 60 cents per week, but only by agreement and provided your contributions are reasonably related to the value of the benefits. EligibilityYou must be under the care of a physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, or certified nurse midwife in order to qualify for disability benefits. If you become disabled while you are employed
If you become disabled while you are unemployed
Your disability is from an auto accident
You are collecting Social Security retirement benefits
You are still disabled, but your benefits have stopped
You quit your job
Employer/Insurance Carrier requests examination by a health care provider
Pregnancy and Maternity LeaveIf you are pregnant, you are eligible for disability benefits for four weeks before your due date and six weeks after giving birth (eight weeks if you delivered by Caesarian section). You may be entitled to further disability benefits up to the maximum 26 weeks with documentation from your medical care provider. Either way, you will need to submit a medical report completed by a doctor or certified nurse midwife stating your disability is due to or related to pregnancy or recovery from delivery. Physical and mental health conditions due to or related to your pregnancy or post-partum recovery may be eligible for disability benefits. Note: Benefits are not payable for any period you are unable to work due to elective surgery (such as an elective sterilization procedure). Differences between Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave
File a ClaimYou must file your claim within 30 days after you become disabled. How you file a claim is determined by your work status when your disability begins. If your disability started within four weeks of the last day you workedWho pays benefits: Your employer's disability benefits insurance carrier. How to Apply
If you are claiming/receiving unemployment benefits, AND your disability started more than four weeks from the last day you workedWho pays benefits: New York State Special Fund for Disability Benefits How to Apply
IMPORTANT: Before filing your claim, be sure that you have completed and signed Part A, "Claimant's Statement," and your health care provider has completed and signed Part B, "Health Care Provider's Statement." Submit this information promptly to avoid delaying your claim. You must file your claim within 30 days after you become disabled. Rejected ClaimsIf your claim is rejected or not paid, you will receive a Notice of Rejection from your employer, insurance carrier or the Special Fund for Disability Benefits within 45 days of its receipt of your claim. You may request that your claim be reviewed by completing the reverse side of the Notice of Rejection and mailing it to: Workers' Compensation Board If necessary, the Board will obtain further information and may hold a hearing on your claim. If the Board determines your claim is proper and valid, your employer, insurance carrier or the Special Fund for Disability Benefits will pay your benefits. Contact the Board Customer Service Toll-Free Number: (877) 632-4996 Language Assistance Services Please call us at
(877) 632-4996 for free language assistance services. Language Access Policy |