After a job injury, many injured workers can apply for and receive social security disability benefits. The disability benefits will usually be lower when receiving workers comp benefits because the federal government will take an offset. Sometimes it is beneficial to apply for these disability benefits after a work accident because it can supplement your income.
However, if there is ever a settlement for future benefits from your work injury with the workers comp insurance company, you must keep social security’s and/or Medicare’s interests protected. In some cases you will need to get a set aside amount approved by the Center for Medicare Services (CMS). In some cases you do not need this set aside, but you still need to protect Medicare’s interests. Remember, in certain cases your work injury might lead to a settlement with workers comp, and we advise you not to do this on your own. We handle all types of work accidents and will work to help you with the settlement and help you protect your future entitlement to Social Security and Medicare.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
