Sadly, accidents happen all the time, some resulting in more severe injuries than others. When those injuries prevent you from working, you may find yourself in a stressful financial situation. Thankfully, there are forms of financial assistance available for you to recover without struggling too much:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
  • Worker’s Compensation Benefits
  • State Disability Benefits 
  • Unemployment

It can be difficult to decide which benefits apply to your particular situation. Below are comparisons of the different support you can choose from depending on your injuries.

Worker’s Compensation and Disability Benefits

In most states, employers must provide worker’s compensation benefits to cover injuries that employees suffer while on the job. This works to replace a personal injury lawsuit against a company. These injuries must happen while the victim is working.  

Disability benefits are provided to people who have experienced injuries outside of their job. Mainly, the difference is who provides the coverage: worker’s compensation is provided by an employer for a work-related injury and disability benefits are provided for a non-work injury by the government.

If you are in the process of a worker’s compensation claim and your employer is disputing it, then you may be able to receive state disability benefits until the case is resolved.

Is it Possible to Receive Both Worker’s Compensation Benefits and SSDI?

In special circumstances, someone can receive SSDI and worker’s compensation benefits. If you expect that an injury will leave you disabled for longer than a year, and you have paid a sufficient amount into SSDI, you may be able to receive both types of benefits. However, the SSDI benefits may be reduced if you receive state disability and worker’s compensation as well.

Unemployment Benefits

Usually, you are unable to receive both worker’s compensation benefits and unemployment benefits for a temporary disability. If you have been replaced at work and are still found unfit to go back by your doctor, then you may be able to receive unemployment payments.

Should I Hire a Lawyer?

It can be difficult to navigate the different types of financial benefits after suffering a debilitating injury. It can be overwhelming having to go it alone. Schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney, like a worker’s compensation lawyer Milwaukee WI can count on, to discuss what type of benefits will apply to your unique situation. Call today and discuss your options for compensation for your injuries.


Thanks to our contributors from Hickey & Turim, SC for their insight into workers compensation and disability benefits.