Workers’ compensation benefits are often offered after a workplace injury. If you were injured while performing your job duties, you likely qualify for this benefit even if you contributed to your own accident. But when on-the-job accidents lead to severe injuries or disability, workers’ compensation often isn’t enough to cover your current and future expenses.
Many injured workers don’t realize that they may qualify for more than one benefit. And accepting workers’ comp won’t necessarily impact your eligibility for certain other benefits, such as SSDI. A workers’ compensation lawyer in New York can help you explore your legal and financial options.
Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits for Injured Workers
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to people who have a disability that limits their ability to work. You might be eligible for this benefit after a workplace injury if all of the following are true:
- You have worked for at least 5 of the last 10 years (unless you are under 30, in which case you might not need to have worked as long).
- You paid FICA taxes while working.
- Your condition prevents “substantial gainful activity,” or earning above a certain amount. In 2026, this figure was $1,690 per month, or $2,830 for blind individuals.
- Your impairment is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months or result in death.
In 2024, over 8.6 million people received Social Security disability benefits, with 83.9% being disabled workers. As of February 2026, the average monthly SSDI benefit for disabled workers was $1,633. The Social Security Administration bases disability pay on a person’s average lifetime earnings record.
Unlike workers’ compensation, SSDI benefits do not apply only to workplace injuries. A person can qualify no matter how their injury or illness originated.
When Workplace Injuries May Lead to Eligibility for SSDI Benefits
If you were severely injured at work, you may not be physically able to continue working. Injuries that affect your earning capacity may qualify you for benefits beyond workers’ compensation, such as SSDI.
Not being able to return to your same job is not enough to qualify for SSDI benefits. Instead, you must show that you are unable to perform substantial gainful activity of any kind.
For example, consider a construction worker who lost some use of their right hand in a workplace accident. While they may not be able to return to construction work, they may still be able to do customer service jobs or other less labor-intensive work. Meanwhile, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis may prevent substantial gainful employment.
The Social Security Administration evaluates conditions using the Listing of Impairments (Blue Book). These medical conditions are severe enough to automatically qualify an individual for federal disability benefits.
If your medical condition meets or equals all the strict criteria in a specific Blue Book category, the SSA considers you disabled, and you would likely qualify for SSDI. Examples include:
- Severe back and spinal injuries
- Amputations
- Complex fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord trauma
- Severe PTSD, depression, or anxiety
Can You Claim Workers’ Compensation and SSDI Benefits at the Same Time?
Finding out that you may qualify for SSDI can offer a small amount of peace of mind after a devastating accident, but can you claim both SSDI benefits and workers’ compensation at the same time?
There are no rules preventing you from claiming both benefits at the same time, but you must qualify for both independently. You also need to follow the federal offset rule, which caps combined benefits at 80% of your average current earnings before the disability.
For example, if your average monthly earnings before the accident were $4,000, then 80% of that would be $3,200. If workers’ compensation pays you $2,000 per month and you qualify for $1,500 per month in SSDI benefits, the SSDI payment would be reduced to $1,200 to avoid exceeding the cap.
Timing Applications Strategically To Maximize Benefits
If you qualify for both workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits, you may benefit from speaking with a workers’ compensation lawyer in New York before filing for either. Sometimes, applying at the right time can increase your benefits.
For example, your workers’ compensation case may be nearing settlement. Your attorney can help you structure the settlement to minimize its impact on the federal offset rule. Accepting a lump-sum settlement that is prorated over your expected lifetime would reduce the monthly offset calculation and increase your SSDI payment accordingly.
But in other cases, filing for SSDI immediately may be the better decision, even before you claim workers’ compensation. If you know your injury will prevent you from working for a long time, filing as soon as possible can speed up your first benefit payment. The application process is often time consuming, and you may not be approved the first time.
You should also consider that SSDI recipients are eligible for Medicare after 24 months of being entitled to SSDI benefits. The longer you delay your SSDI application, the longer you may have to wait to become eligible for this medical coverage.
The right timeline depends heavily on the unique circumstances of your accident and injury, so speaking with a workplace injury lawyer can be valuable.
Returning to Work After Disabling Work-Related Injuries
Some workers eventually recover enough to return to at least part-time work. If you receive SSDI benefits, you must report your work activity to the SSA to remain eligible.
You can return to work for at least nine months and still receive your full disability payment through the SSA’s “trial work period.” The months don’t need to be consecutive, as long as they fall within a rolling five-year period. There is also no limit on how much you can earn during those nine months.
After this trial work period, you may qualify for a 36-month extended period of eligibility (EPE) and still receive disability, as long as you do not exceed the EPE earnings limit. In 2026, that limit is $1,690 per month or $2,830 per month. During the EPE, you may also be able to earn more than the monthly limit if you have work expenses due to your disability.
Request a Legal Consultation With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in New York
Navigating both workers’ compensation benefits and SSDI claims correctly while dealing with debilitating injuries can certainly feel overwhelming. A workers’ comp lawyer in New York can provide you with clarity and legal guidance.
Our attorneys at Pyrros, Serres & Rupwani represent injured workers through the compensation process. Contact us today at 718-626-7730 for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does workers’ comp affect Social Security disability benefits?
Workers’ compensation can reduce your SSDI benefits to ensure that your total benefits do not exceed 80% of your average earnings before becoming disabled. A workers’ compensation lawyer may help you time your applications strategically to potentially maximize your benefits.
What is the lump sum payment for SSDI?
SSDI lump sum payments are one-time deposits paid shortly after your claim is approved. They typically cover back pay from your established onset date, minus a mandatory five-month waiting period, through your approval date.
At what age does SSDI become permanent?
SSDI payments do not necessarily become permanent at a certain age. But when you reach your full retirement age, which is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year, your SSDI benefits automatically transition to standard Social Security retirement benefits. If you are nearing this age, a workers’ comp lawyer in New York can explain how your workplace injury compensation may be affected.
