Can I apply for SSDI while on unemployment?
The answer to that question is complicated. By agreeing to receive unemployment, you are stating that you are able and willing to work, but you are not able to currently find work.
While you can apply for SSDI while on unemployment, you should really consider your medical and/or mental health conditions. If you believe you should be able to return to work, then apply for unemployment. But if you believe that your physical and/or mental health conditions prevent you from working for an extended period, you should consider applying for SSDI.
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It is important to note that these two government assistance programs exist for their own purposes, and you should truly consider which one you may need, if any. The “overdue benefits” or the benefits you would have received during the disability application process takes into consideration what you received while on unemployment. Consequently, that money will be deducted from the total overdue benefits amount if you are granted disability.
It is also possible that an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will take this information into account in determining if you are, in fact, disabled. As mentioned earlier, you should consider if your medical conditions truly prevent you from working or if you just are not working because you are unable to find work.
Our attorneys recommend that you should not be receiving unemployment when applying for SSDI. Plus, you should only apply for either assistance program out of the necessity that applies to your particular situation.