United States citizens may collect Social Security benefits for a number of different reasons. Among those reasons are disability and unemployment benefits. Many people think that these two benefits are incompatible, but since 2000 there have been changes in the law that make it possible to collect both Social Security benefits at the same time.
It is true that we can receive these two Social Security benefits at the same time, but not everyone can. Certain very precise requirements are needed for this option to be available. We must consider that in order to access unemployment benefits, it is mandatory to actively seek employment. Added to this is the fact that Social Security disability benefits are received when the person is unable to work.
This situation is therefore contradictory and almost impossible to reconcile. However, thanks to the new law of 2000, this can be achieved. But there is a state in the United States where this law has not entered into force and will not do so until the middle of this year 2022. This state is the state of Minnesota, where you cannot combine these two benefits at the moment.
So, can I collect Social Security disability and unemployment benefits?
The answer is not entirely clear and depends a lot on each person’s situation. The unemployment benefit is not considered to be a contribution, so it may be compatible, on that side, with the Social Security program that provides benefits to disabled persons.
On the other hand, the requirements for Supplemental Security Income are strict to the highest level, and this program is created so that American citizens who do not have any type of income can receive money and live in a more peaceful way. However, this payment is only available to people over 65 years of age, people with disabilities and blind people.
Combining SSI and SSDI
Mixing these two payments, therefore, can push us over the threshold of the maximum we can collect from the state through Social Security. For that reason, each case is totally individual and should be studied in that way.
If you have any doubts, you can go to a local government office. There they will help you and advise you on how to apply for all the benefits available to you and do so without the fear of asking for one that does not correspond to you.