Can You Get Disability Benefits for On-The-Job Injuries In Harrisburg After Workers’ Compensation Ends?
When on-the-job injuries in Harrisburg happen, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, which covers your medical care and up to two-thirds of lost wages. What happens when those benefits run out, but you still can’t return to work? The next step is applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Unfortunately, transitioning from temporary workers’ comp benefits to long-term Social Security disability can be complex and confusing. Our experienced Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyer explains what you need to know about your eligibility and next steps.
The Difference Between Workers’ Compensation in Harrisburg and Social Security Disability
Both systems support people who can’t work due to injury or illness, but there is a big difference in how the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program and Social Security disability operate.
Workers’ compensation is a state-run insurance program, while disability benefits are available on a federal level through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Other key differences:
- Workers’ compensation covers work-related injuries, while disability benefits cover any condition that prevents full-time work.
- Workers’ comp can cover temporary or partial disabilities, while Social Security only covers total disabilities expected to last 12 months or longer.
- Workers’ compensation is based on your earnings and injury, while Social Security disability payments depend on your work history and medical limitations.
- You can sometimes receive both at the same time, but Social Security benefits may be reduced if you are still receiving workers’ compensation.
You don’t have to wait for your Harrisburg workers’ compensation benefits to end before applying for disability. If your injury is long-term or permanent, applying for Social Security disability now helps protect your financial security.
How to Strengthen Your Harrisburg Social Security Disability Claim
Getting approved for disability benefits isn’t automatic. The Social Security Administration reports that nearly two-thirds of all disability claims get denied on the first try. Here’s how to strengthen your application:
- Gather complete medical records, including all treatments received after your injury.
- Ask your treating doctor to complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form explaining your limitations.
- Explain clearly why your condition prevents you from doing any full-time work, not just your former job.
- Document any past jobs, skills, and education that the SSA might consider when evaluating alternative work.
- Avoid gaps in treatment, which can be used to argue that your condition has improved.
Getting professional legal help from someone with experience in workers’ comp and Social Security disability helps identify the gaps in your application and address issues that commonly lead to denials.
For Trusted Help Transitioning to SSA Disability Benefits, Contact Our Experienced Harrisburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If your workers’ compensation benefits are ending but you’re still unable to work, applying for Social Security disability benefits may be the next step. However, it is a long and often difficult process. At Ira H. Weinstock, P.C., we help injured Harrisburg workers build strong disability applications, gather critical evidence, and appeal unfair denials.
For trusted legal help transitioning to SSA disability benefits, contact our experienced Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyer and request a consultation today.
Sources:
pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/workers-compensation
ssa.gov/disability
ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2023/sect04.pdf
