Can I receive both workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits at the same time?
What You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment
While you cannot accept workers’ compensation benefits and unemployment benefits simultaneously in Illinois, you may be eligible to collect unemployment while your workers’ comp claim is being disputed. An experienced lawyer from a Chicago workers’ compensation law firm can help you pursue a claim and advise you on the benefits to which you may be entitled.
Collecting Unemployment in Illinois
How do I know if I’m eligible for unemployment benefits?
If you have been hurt at work to the extent that you can’t return to work at all and your workers’ compensation claim is being disputed or your benefits have been terminated outright, the lack of income can be frightening. You should not let the situation pressure you into a settlement, especially since you may be able to collect unemployment benefits.
You may collect unemployment benefits while pursuing your workers’ compensation claim if you meet the following criteria:
- You are not currently receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
- You have been cleared to return to work with restrictions, but your employer refused to accommodate those restrictions and terminated you.
- You are seeking work within your restrictions.
This is a situation that should only occur if your claim is disputed — in the absence of a dispute, you should be able to begin collecting benefits with help from a capable Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer.
Collecting unemployment while pursuing a workers’ comp claim
There is a catch to collecting unemployment benefits while pursuing a claim. If you recover workers’ compensation benefits for a period of time during which you collected unemployment benefits, you must repay the unemployment benefits.
Read more about Illinois Workers’ Compensation benefits →
Schedule a consultation with our attorneys if you need help determining how your work comp will affect unemployment eligibility
Rubens and Mulholland is a Chicago workers’ compensation law firm with a record of success when it comes to helping injured workers get the compensation they deserve. If you have been hurt on the job, do not hesitate to discuss your legal options by contacting Rubens and Mulholland online, at 312-945-0584, or toll-free at 866-367-1784.