Can You Work While You Get Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Long-term disability (LTD) benefits are available if you have steady income and currently pay to a long-term insurance policy each month. The benefits are there if you get an illness or injury that will keep you out of work for a long time, but usually permanently. In some cases, you might still collect LTD, even if you are working part-time. Here is more information about working and getting long-term disability benefits.
The Own Occupation Policy
One of the situations where you will be able to work even while receiving these benefits is if you have an "own occupation" policy. This means due to a recent injury, you cannot perform your regular duties of your occupation. Even if you are able to work in a profession that would be less physically demanding than your regular job, you may still be able to get benefits for this type of disability. In this case, you would most likely be able to collect your benefits and find a part-time job elsewhere.
Working With an Own Occupation Policy
There are a few exceptions and stipulations in regards to working while you have an own occupation policy and are receiving LTD benefits. The first is if your company has a less physically demanding job that you can do based on your education and training. If you are a police officer, and they have an office job you are qualified for, then that may be another job you can do. In this case, since they have another job for you and you can continue working, you will not get your disability benefits.
On the other hand, if your employer is a truck driving company and they don't have any jobs aside from driving semi-trucks, you will be able to get a job elsewhere because under this policy, you can't perform the jobs available at your company. You should still be able to collect your disability benefits.
Reduction in Benefits
You should also be aware that if you get a new job, either part-time or full-time, your benefits will most likely be reduced. The amount that the benefits are reduced depends on how much you earn at your new job, and how much you were earning at your old job. If you went from a high salary, full-time position, to a low salary part-time position, your benefits won't be reduced as much as someone who is getting similar pay to what they had before.
If you feel you are owed LTD and are being denied these benefits, contact a lawyer, such as one from Parker & Frey.
