admin
Updated May 17, 2022
5 min read
When you can’t work and are waiting for disability benefits, it can be a big financial struggle. Many people wonder if they can apply for unemployment benefits while also waiting for disability.
If you’re thinking about doing this, it’s important to know that receiving unemployment benefits could affect your disability claim.
Eligibility for Unemployment
To qualify for unemployment, you must say that you’re able to work. In Florida, you can apply for unemployment benefits through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Part of the unemployment and disability application will ask you to confirm that you’re “ready, willing, and able to work.”
You must also have lost your job through no fault of your own. These are the basic requirements to be eligible for unemployment.
If you’re considering whether you can get both unemployment and disability benefits at the same time, first check if you meet the requirements for unemployment. You may need to answer questions about your ability to work and perform job tasks.
Eligibility for Disability
To qualify for any type of disability benefits—whether short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), or Social Security Disability (SSD)—you must show that you’re unable to work.
Some STD and LTD policies let you claim that you can’t do your specific job, while others require you to say you can’t work any job at all.
SSD allows you to work a little, but you can’t have what’s called “substantial gainful employment,” which means you can’t be doing significant work for pay.
If you can only work a few hours a week or can no longer do your own job, you might still qualify for disability benefits.
However, it’s a good idea to talk to a disability lawyer who can look at your situation and give you advice. Keep in mind that the rules for STD and LTD might be different from what you expect, and having legal help can make the application process easier.
When Can You Get Unemployment and Disability?
Unemployment usually requires you to say you’re able to work, while disability requires you to say you can’t work, so it’s rare to get both simultaneously. However, there are a few situations where it might be possible:
- You can do some work, but it’s not the same type of work you did before.
- Your work doesn’t count as “substantial gainful activity,” meaning it’s not considered significant enough to earn a full income.
- A long-term disability lawyer can help you determine if you qualify for both benefits simultaneously.
When Unemployment and Disability Can Work Together?
It’s possible to use long-term and temporary unemployment and disability benefits one after the other. For example, you might start by receiving unemployment benefits and then switch to disability later.
Here’s an example: If you leave your job because of illness or injury and get unemployment benefits, but after six months, you realize you can’t return to your old job, you can stop receiving unemployment and apply for disability benefits instead.
There are also cases where you might work through the SSA’s Ticket to Work program, then leave that job and qualify for both unemployment and disability benefits at the same time.
Getting Unemployment While on SSDI
If you’re getting SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and working part-time, you might be able to get unemployment benefits if you lose your job.
However, there’s a limit to how much you can earn. If your income goes over $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you’re blind), you could lose your SSDI benefits.
Working while on SSDI can be complicated. It’s a good idea to talk to a disability lawyer if you’re unsure how much work you can do or how much you can earn without affecting your SSDI.
Getting Unemployment While on SSI
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is based on your financial need, and there are strict rules about how much you can earn.
To qualify for SSI, you need to make less than $943 per month and have less than $2,000 in savings or assets. Your SSI benefits also depend on how much money you make.
If you start getting unemployment benefits while on SSI, you need to report that income to Social Security.
They will adjust your SSI benefits based on what you’re earning. You’ll also lose SSI benefits if your income or savings goes above the limits for SSI.
Supplementing Your Income When Waiting for Your Disability
Getting Extra Income While on SSDI or SSI
If you’ve applied for disability benefits or are already receiving them, it’s important to find ways to cover basic needs, like food.
You can earn some extra money while on SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) as long as you don’t make more than $1,550 per month.
For SSI (Supplemental Security Income), the monthly income limit is $943. In some situations, you might qualify for both SSDI and SSI.
State Programs That Can Help You
There are many state programs designed to help people who are waiting for disability approval or need more financial support. Here are some helpful programs to look for:
- Free or low-cost healthcare: Look for Health Resources and Services Administration Health Centers or National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.
- Housing and Bill Pay support: Programs like the Department of Housing and Urban Development or Emergency Rental Assistance may be available.
- Food assistance: Meals on Wheels and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) can help with food.
- Legal and benefits support: You can get free guidance from organizations like Atticus or the National Disability Rights Network.
These programs can provide much-needed assistance while you wait for or manage your disability benefits.
