With some luck and a bit of care, you may never have to worry about injuring yourself at work. If you do, though, you may not be able to afford basic living expenses. Fortunately, there is a safety net. Through the North Carolina workers’ compensation system, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and rehabilitation costs.
What happens if your on-the-job injury results in a temporary or permanent injury? Even if you qualify for workers’ compensation, you may be able to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. While you may independently qualify for both programs, you should know a few things about when workers’ compensation and SSDI intersect.
The programs involve different levels of government
You may not realize that the workers’ compensation system and SSDI involve different governmental authorities. North Carolina officials administer the workers’ compensation program, while federal authorities determine SSDI eligibility. If you want to take advantage of both programs, you must file separate applications with the appropriate governmental bodies.
You may qualify for both SSDI and workers’ compensation benefits
If you sustain an injury or develop an illness because of your job duties, you can probably seek benefits under the workers’ compensation system. Still, your job-related condition may lead to either short-term or long-term disability. If so, you may need another way to provide for yourself and your family. With SSDI, you receive disability benefits in conjunction with your workers’ compensation payments.
Workers’ compensation payments may affect other benefits
Administers of both workers’ compensation and SSDI use complicated formulas to decide how much you receive under each program. They also usually take other benefits into account when determining payments. That is, your SSDI payments may decrease if you receive workers’ compensation benefits. You may also encounter limitations on how much you can receive through the North Carolina worker’s compensation system and SSDI.
Taking care of yourself after a job-related injury is important. Luckily, you have a couple avenues to receive compensation. By understanding the intersection of workers’ compensation and SSDI, you can better plan for both your recovery and your future.