Most people in Illinois know Social Security Disability benefits are only awarded to people with income below a certain threshold. As an example, for 2014, the monthly income limit is $1,070. However, work earnings are not the only income the Social Security Administration considers when awarding SSD benefits. Various benefits and forms of assistance can also affect SSD eligibility and payment amounts.
Disability-based benefits
Benefits awarded based on injury or disablement can affect SSD awards. People who receive workers’ compensation benefits or public disability benefits, including any lump sum settlements, will receive a reduced SSD payment as long as the other benefits continue. Public disability benefits are any federal, state or local government awards to provide support for disabilities that are not job-related. These benefits include:
- Civil service disability
- State temporary disability
- State or local government benefits for retirement due to disability
Collectively, workers’ compensation benefits, public disability benefits and Social Security Disability benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of an individual’s current average earnings. However, once other benefits stop or the benefit recipient turns 65, SSD payments will increase to the full amount.
It is crucial for individuals who receive SSD benefits to report other disability benefits and changes in benefit amounts, including the cessation of payments, to the SSA. This ensures that recipients do not miss due payments or receive overpayments that will need to be balanced later.
Private and exempt income
A few forms of public income or support do not affect SSD payments. Veterans Administration benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments will not reduce SSD benefits. People who receive state or local government benefits may also qualify for full SSD payments, as long as these individuals have paid Social Security taxes.
