Can Unemployment Benefits Provide Financial Assistance while Waiting for SSDI Benefits?

Persons waiting for Social Security Disability payments to come through are often left in need of a source of income in the interim. In addition, the Job market is saturated with willing and able employment candidates who are finding it difficult to find employment. Some may see seeking Unemployment benefits as the key to staying afloat while waiting for SSDI. On the other hand, some may choose SSDI as an alternative source of income while seeking employment. Is this a good idea?

The first step in making this determination is to know the official reason why each of these benefits are provided. SSDI is given to provide support to persons who are severely disabled, to the point where they are unable to work. Unemployment Benefits are provided as financial assistance for persons while they are actively seeking employment. Examination of these two programs shows that claiming both would be contradictory. Claiming Unemployment says that you are able and trying to find work. Claiming SSDI says that you are unable to work.

Filing for Unemployment Benefits while waiting for SSDI and, vice versa, may be actually shooting yourself in the foot. It could be the cause of you losing the claim for benefits that you really qualify for. The best decision is probably to apply for either/or.