SSDI and NJ Unemployment

[msebok]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
NJ

In NJ is it legal to collect both SSDI and unemployment if you became unemployed prior to becoming disablied, and you are over age 50 and feel you can do some sedentary work .

[commentator]

You will need to verify this information with a talk with the New Jersey elephant keepers ( unemployment claims workers) but generally, NO.

Unemployment is for those who are able and available for (in most states, it must be FULL TIME work) Social Security Disability is for those who are unable to work due to their disability. That you think you might be able to do some part time stuff later doesn't mean you're able and available to accept job referrals at this time.

If you are receiving unemployment and are approved for and begin receiving Social Security Disability, you must notify the claims office immediately as you make your next weekly certification. Failure to do so is fraud.

Otherwise, if you continue to draw, you will be caught anyway in the cross matching that occurs, and you will be declared overpaid and will be charged back for all the money you may have received before being caught, and might be prosecuted.

Your age has not got anything to do with your unemployment eligibility, neither does your financial situation or your date of becoming disabled.

If you have not yet filed an unemployment claim, and you have been off work long enough to be approved for Social Security Disability, you might not even have wages enough in the quarters used to qualify for unemployment anyhow. Unemployment covered wages do not accumulate over your whole work history like Social Security. They are pulled only from the last two years or less, and if you have been off work a long time, there might not be any wages there.

Unemployment insurance is not for the disabled. There is a gap in our support system safety net. Unless you have some sort of state or private disability insurance, your Social Security Disability is the only thing you have.