Understanding How Settlements Can Affect Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Payments
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are earned through work credits accumulated over time. There is a limit to how much income you can continue to earn through work and still receive SSDI benefits, but a personal injury settlement is not considered wages unless it includes compensation for lost income. This means, your personal injury settlement is unlikely to affect your SSDI benefits unless you were fully employed at the time of your car accident and are now receiving SSDI benefits because you’ve been left with injuries that prevent you from returning to work.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are for people with very low incomes and minimal assets. If you are currently receiving SSI payments, there is a good chance a personal injury settlement would affect your right to benefits by putting you over the asset limit. However, you may be able to set up a special needs trust that would allow you to benefit from the settlement while keeping your SSI benefits.
If you’re currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, you should discuss your concerns with a qualified personal injury attorney. Your attorney can explain how your SSDI or SSI benefits might be affected by a settlement and explain what actions you should take to maximize your total compensation. Different approaches may be necessary depending on your other sources of income, whether you were employed at the time the car accident occurred, and if your injuries have worsened a preexisting condition.
Have You Been Injured in a Louisiana Car Accident?
If you’ve been hurt in a Louisiana car accident, you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation. Please contact us online, or call our Alexandria office to schedule your free consultation.
The New York Times has referred to Arsenault as a “big player” in the legal community. The Wall Street Journal has described him as having “national notoriety” and as a “big gun” among attorneys in competition for national leadership roles. Business Week has referred to him as “a Dean of the Louisiana tort bar”, USA Today featured him as a member of the “Legal Elite” and the New Orleans Times Picayune has referred to him as “an authority on class actions.”
Richard has over 300 articles and presentations to his credit and has authored many Law Review articles including one published in Federal Courts Law Review. Among other writings, he co-authored the chapter on Multidistrict Litigation in an ABA treatise. Richard was also asked by Judge Heyburn, JPML Chair, to participate in the Panel’s “Multidistrict Litigation Study Project”. He has personally participated in negotiating over $3.5 billion in complex litigation settlements in the last five years.
Hire an Accident Injury Lawyer in Louisiana – Learn More About Your Rights After an Accident Injury
Accidents happen when we least expect them, and worse, when we are least prepared. Insurance companies paint a pretty picture, that if we pay them money each month, that they will rush to our aid when we need them. Sadly, this is not the case. Too often, honest injury victims are either offered far less money than they deserve, or are flat out denied their claim. Our lawyers FIGHT for your rights after an accident. For over 40 years, our Louisiana personal injury lawyers have put the needs of our clients first.
If you, or a loved one, has been hurt in an accident please call us right away. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The call is free, the consultation is free, and you have nothing to lose. Call us today and find how much your case may be really worth.