BENEFITS PAYABLE TO FAMILY MEMBERS BASED ON THE RECORD OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISABLED, DECEASED OR RETIRED For some of these benefits, the family member has to be disabled; for some, he or she does not. Click on a question to get an answer.

You will receive weekly benefits for a specified period of time based on the type and extent of your permanent disability. Benefits for workers who have been totally and permanently disabled may continue indefinitely. Medical evaluations are usually required to establish the nature and extent of any permanent disability.

If you are totally disabled from all forms of employment, it is theoretically possible for you to receive wage-loss benefits for the rest of your life. This, however, is unlikely to occur. If your injury occurred after June 24, 1996, and you have received one hundred and four weeks of total disability benefits, the company has the right to require you to submit to a medical examination to determine the extent of your permanent impairment.

I would talk to an attorney before filing, but you can file yourself, too. As soon as you become disabled, and are working erratically or not working, you may apply for disability at any Social Security office. You may also apply by phone. The best way to start is to call 1-800-772-1213. Most people who are comfortable writing answers find that a telephone appointment is the easiest way to file. If you are not comfortable with a lot of writing, set an appointment to apply in person.

If you have been told by a physician that you have pneumoconiosis or other lung problems, you may have questions about whether you are eligible for any compensation from the Federal Government. The Federal Black Lung Benefits Program is completely separate from the State Workers’ Compensation programs. Some miners may qualify for one program and not the other.

Yes.  A portion of disability benefits is considered taxable income for both the Federal Income Tax and FICA (Social Security).  The portion of the benefits payment that is taxable is that portion attributable to the employer's disability contribution.  The worker's share of FICA is deducted from State Plan benefit payments.  The employer is liable for the employer's share of FICA.  Federal income tax is withheld only if requested by the claimant.

Members who are injured in the line of duty are eligible to receive a disability benefit of at least $300 a month for as long as the member is unable to perform his/her duties.

In short, if you earn income, or if the Administration thinks you have gotten healthy enough to work.

Yes.  Eligibility for temporary disability benefits due to pregnancy is determined in the same manner as for any other disability.  You must meet the wage requirements and your physician must certify that you are disabled.  For more information, see our web page entitled Pregnancy.

Once your application is submitted to the Social Security office, it is first reviewed there, to see if you meet the non disability requirements for benefits like income and resources, for SSI applicants, and sufficient earnings, for Social Security disability applicants. If you're a family member applying for benefits, they'll confirm your relationship to the worker.

It takes a little more to qualify for disability than it does to qualify for retirement. To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under the current laws. For each year you work, you can earn up to four credits, maximum. Each credit is based on a certain amount of money earned; the amount of earnings required for a credit usually increase each year, as general wage levels increase.

Disability benefits may be deposited electronically. If you are receiving a combined Workers' Compensation and SERS occupational disability payment, the payment has to be sent by regular mail. If your disability is expected to last more than three months, Direct Deposit is recommended because it is the fastest and most efficient method to receive your monthly payment.

According the to Social Security Administration's SSA Pub.No. 05-10029 April 1995, the definition of "disability" is as follows: Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. You will be considered disabled if you are unable to do any kind of work for which you are suited and your disability is expected to last for at least a year or to result in death.

Answer: If an employee has reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) from an injury, and also sustained a permanent impairment, additional benefits may be awarded for that impairment. The amount, and length of time of benefits, depends on many factors.

There is no set requirement as to how often you must see your physician.  However, to continue receiving benefits you must be under the continued care of your doctor.  Periodically,  forms will be mailed to you to obtain updated medical information.  Those forms must be completed by you and your physician and returned to this Division. For detailed information on benefit calculations, see our web page entitled,  Benefit Calculations.

Work-related injuries or illnesses are not compensable under the Temporary Disability Benefits Law.  However, if you file a claim for workers' compensation benefits and it is contested by the workers' compensation insurance carrier, you may be eligible for temporary disability benefits while the workers' compensation issues are being resolved.  To protect our subrogation rights, we would file a lien against any subsequent workers' compensation award.