Some qualify to receive both unemployment and disability benefits

Released:

December 04, 2012

Americans who qualify can receive both unemployment compensation and disability insurance.

There is no law to keep Americans who qualify from receiving both unemployment compensation and disability insurance. 117,000 individuals double dipped the programs in 2010, costing the government $850 million in overlapping claims.

With disability insurance benefits on the rise – and the explosion in unemployment claims that came with the recession, there is increased pressure for officials to re-examine those receiving dual benefits.

We have an animated infographic with more on this issue of double dipping. Make sure you click around to see all its components. See “What Do Others Say?” for more views, then add to the discussion below. Should double dipping be outlawed?

Sources:

Government Accountability Office: "Income Security: Overlapping Disability and Unemployment Benefits Should be Evaluated for Potential Savings"

What Do Others Say:

Political Calculations: “Enabling Disability Fraud- Part II”

Heritage Foundation: “Freeloaders on safety net programs double dip to get thousands in taxpayer dollars”

Washington Guardian: “Feds fail to catch 117,000 collecting both disability, unemployment”

The Fiscal Times: “117,000 Americans get jobless and disability benefits”

JDSUPRA: “Unemployment benefits impact on a Social Security disability claim

Tom Coburn, U.S. Senator: “Dr. Coburn releases new investigative report on problems uncovered in Social Security disability program”

Disabled World: “Can you get both disability and unemployment benefits?”

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