What’s the Difference Between Workers’ Comp and Social Security Disability?
March 17th, 2021
| Your job is your livelihood. When an injury or illness makes it difficult or impossible for you to work, you need a way to replace your lost paychecks. Thankfully, there are two primary ways that people in California can get replacement income when they’re unable to work: workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability (SSD). Because both are designed to give you money when you’re not capable of earning paychecks, it’s easy to get them confused. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we help people who suffer disabling injuries and illnesses get the compensation they need to replace lost pay checks when they can no longer work. That means helping them get SSD benefits. Each injured worker’s case is unique, and some people’s injuries or illnesses mean they may be eligible for only one type of benefit. Others may be eligible for both. Our California SSD lawyers have years of experience building claims for disabled workers. That includes appeals when applications are denied.Get the Facts on Workers’ Comp vs SSD Benefits
Laws related to workers’ compensation benefits and SSD benefits are completely different. They also have vastly different application requirements. Knowing the differences between these two types of compensation is important for anyone who can’t work and needs a way to replace their lost paychecks. To learn more, check out the infographic below.Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation is a state-based, no-fault program that protects employees beginning on their first day on the job. It typically provides workers with two-thirds of their income and covers workplace injury- and illness-related medical expenses. It also shields employers from lawsuits filed by employees. Here are a few key facts to note about workers’ compensation benefits:- They’re paid to injured workers by their employer’s workers’ comp insurance policies.
- They’re overseen by each state’s Workers’ Compensation Board.
- They’re awarded for job-related injuries, illnesses, and disabilities.
- They’re designed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and vocational rehabilitation.
- They’re based on your earnings in the past three months.
Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits
Unlike workers’ compensation benefits, SSD is built to cover long-term, debilitating injuries. It can cover injuries and illnesses unrelated to work. It’s also a national program, unlike the state-based workers’ compensation. Here are some of the most important things to understand about SSD:- SSD is paid by the federal government, instead of the state, and is overseen by the Social Security Administration.
- SSD benefits are awarded for non-work-related injuries, illnesses, and disabilities that prevent a person from working.
- SSD is designed to cover the injured person’s living expenses.
- SSD benefits are based on how much you’ve earned over your lifetime.