Social Security Regulations

• The Social Security Administration released a Memorandum in 2007 clarifying eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits at the same time you receive unemployment benefits. According to this memorandum, receipt of unemployment benefits does not preclude receipt of Social Security Disability benefits. However, if you receive unemployment benefits when you apply for SSD benefits and while you are waiting for approval to receive these benefits, you might not be eligible to receive SSD benefits. An unemployment benefit must not be the reason why the Social Security Administration denies you SSD benefits, but it may have an effect on determining your disability.
  
  

Unemployment Benefits

• To be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits, you must meet three main conditions in every state. First, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. Second, you must be looking for a job. Third, you must be physically capable and available to work. You may be eligible to receive these benefits even if disabled, as long as you can work. If you apply for SSD benefits while receiving unemployment benefits and that causes you to stop looking for a job, or it makes you unable to work due to SSD requirements, your unemployment benefits end.
  
  

Social Security Disability

• To qualify to receive SSD benefits, you must have paid Social Security tax and be disabled. Disabled for SSD purposes means that you are not capable of normally performing regular daily activities, such as walking, talking, sitting, standing, remembering or seeing. You can work while you receive SSD benefits, but, at the time of publication, your income must not exceed $1,000 per month. If you are capable of earning more than this limit, Social Security does not consider you to be disabled.
  
  

Determining Eligibility

• When you apply for SSD benefits, you must notify the Social Security office and tell them that you are receiving unemployment benefits. Unless you are capable of showing that your state's Department of Labor is aware of your disability and that you are applying for SSD benefits, and that they do not require you to earn more than $1,000 per month once you find a job, you may not be eligible to receive both of these benefits at the same time. If both agencies seem to be satisfied with your claims, then you may receive both benefits at the same time.