It can be tempting to apply for Unemployment while waiting for your Social Security disability benefits.
The Social Security disability application process can take months. Some have even had to wait two years to get their benefits! That is a long time to go without any income. One option may be to work while you are waiting for your benefits, and in our previous blog, we went over the ins and outs of working while waiting for benefits. On the other hand, if you can’t work, you may be tempted to apply for Unemployment benefits.
Why you shouldn’t apply for Unemployment benefits while waiting for disability benefits.
While it’s true that Unemployment benefits are designed to provide people a source of income when they find themselves out of work, it is not an ideal solution for people applying for Social Security disability benefits. This is because the Unemployment program is designed to support people who are looking for a job and expect to go to work again in the near future, whereas disability benefits are for those who cannot work for a year or more due to a disability. As you can see, these programs are fundamental opposites of one another, and if you apply for Unemployment while you wait for disability, your disability benefits may get denied. If you do end up getting disability benefits and you have been receiving Unemployment, you may even have to pay back those Unemployment benefits.
Do you have any questions or concerns about how Unemployment benefits may affect your Social Security disability application? If so, contact us to get the Social Security help you need in Louisville!
