Don't use Social Security disability as unemployment benefits, it could come back to haunt you....

If you can help from filing for both Social Security disability and unemployment benefits at the same time, try to do so.

In fact, pick one or the other.

On one hand, you are saying to the Social Security Administration that due to your impairments, there are no jobs within the national economy you are capable of performing.

On the other hand, you are also telling the Texas Workforce Commission that you are ready, willing, and able to work.

Hopefully, you can see the dichotomy.

There is a split in SSA on unemployment benefits. About 1/2 believe that you are lying to either SSA or TWC when you file for disability benefits and unemployment at the same time. In their minds, how are they supposed to believe you when you state to SSA you are unable to work? I have been in many hearings where the judge directly asks the claimant why he or she filed for disability and at the same time filed for unemployment benefits.

The 1/2 are more understanding. They realize that if there is absolutely no income coming into the home, they you could possibly be on the street. So, out of necessity a person files for both.

The only problem is that you never know who you're going to get for a judge if you have to go to a hearing. If you did file for disability and unemployment, it sometimes makes it that much harder to win your case. Not always, but sometimes it does.

So, if you can somehow avoid having to file for unemployment while you are applying to SSA for disability benefits, then do so. If you can't, then you can't. Everyone's gotta eat.