Millions of Americans and Floridians receive Social Security benefits. They may be eligible for age, employment status, disability, or income level. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits people with disabilities, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits people below a specific income threshold.
When a person with Social Security benefits or Medicaid coverage becomes a personal injury victim, a settlement’s impact will depend on specific facts. It is essential to understand the various types of benefits, including SSDI and SSI, to know how they may be affected by a personal injury settlement.
Understanding SSDI and SSI
SSDI benefits are earned and paid to persons with long-term or permanent disabilities. As work credits earn these benefits, a personal injury settlement does not usually impact them.
SSI benefits are paid to low-income persons and can be used to supplement SSDI benefits. Beneficiaries of SSI must show a financial need for their benefits. So, anyone who receives an SSI monthly payment is required and obligated to report all income, including any monies received as part of a personal injury settlement.
Qualifying changes to income may affect SSI benefit payment amounts. That means beneficiaries who receive a single check combining SSDI and SSI benefits may change to monthly benefits after a personal injury settlement.
Medicaid and Personal Injury Settlements
Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage to very low-income persons.
A person who receives Medicaid and has been injured due to negligence by a third party may be required to assign rights to payments for medical care damages to the state.
While Medicaid may place a lien on a future settlement, it will continue to pay for the victim’s medical bills as long as they are undergoing treatment.
In cases where someone was injured but opted not to file a personal injury claim, the state may do so to recover payments made by Medicaid for their medical care.
Disability and Personal Injury Claims
Persons with disabilities also have equal rights to file a personal injury claim if they have been injured by the negligence or recklessness of someone else.
Dream Team Law Can Help
If you receive SSDI, SSI, or Medicaid benefits and have been injured through no fault of your own, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A Dream Team lawyer may be able to review all of your benefits, analyze how a settlement or award for damages may impact them, and advise you of all available options to protect your rights.
Contact Vanessa Dream and the Dream Team at 1-855-255-TEAM or click here. http://www.dreamteamlawfl.com
