It is important to fully explore your options when you are receiving SSDI benefits.
COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) serves as a federal law that grants you the opportunity to retain your employer-provided insurance coverage for a designated period following the termination of your employment.
Typically, you can remain on your employer’s plan for a duration of 18 months, although disabled individuals might be eligible for an extended coverage period of up to 29 months.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that if your employer was previously contributing towards your premiums while you were employed, this assistance is typically discontinued once you cease to be an employee. Consequently, your coverage becomes more expensive, with the responsibility of paying the full premium resting upon you. In the case of the 11-month extension that extends coverage to 29 months, your employer has the ability to charge you up to 150% of the premium amount.
Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits
If you sustain an injury or fall ill in the workplace, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation disability benefits in addition to SSDI. However, if the combined total of your SSDI and workers’ compensation disability benefits surpasses 80% of your pre-disability earnings, the amount of benefits received will be reduced.
This holds true regardless of whether your workers’ comp payments are provided as a lump sum or distributed over a period of time. In the case of a lump sum payment, the settlement amount is proportionally calculated to determine the monthly equivalent, which is then used to offset disability checks so as not to exceed 80% of your typical pre-disability earnings.
Disability Benefits from a Private Insurer
Should you possess disability insurance through a private insurer, it could result in the receipt of monthly payments equivalent to a certain percentage of your wages, dependent on the terms outlined in your insurance policy. Importantly, these benefits will not impact your SSDI income.
Public Disability Benefits
You might be entitled to various forms of public disability benefits, such as state benefits in the limited number of jurisdictions with disability benefits programs, or disability benefits provided under the Civil Service Retirement System. Should the combined amount of your SSDI benefit and public disability benefit exceed 80% of your average pre-disability earnings, your SSDI benefit will be subject to reduction.
Other Benefits Available to You
There is also the potential to qualify for a diverse array of additional benefits, encompassing programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance subsidies, or state and federal housing benefits. Many of these programs assess eligibility based on income, meaning that qualification depends on the amount of SSDI payments and other sources of income within your household.
Determining What Other Benefits You Can Obtain with SSDI
It’s worth noting that there exists a wide range of potential benefits you may be eligible for in addition to SSDI, including programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance subsidies, or state and federal housing benefits. The criteria for qualifying for these programs often revolve around income thresholds, meaning that your eligibility will be contingent upon the amount of SSDI payments and other financial resources entering your household.
Still need help? Navigating the road to SSDI benefits can be tricky and with the majority of SSDI appeals being denied it is important to have legal support in your corner to give you the best chance of succeeding at winning your SSDI claim.
Call Mark J. Palmiere, Attorneys at Law and give yourself the best chance at winning your SSDI case: (585) 363-4076