N.Y. bill would assume permanently disabled workers eligible for comp

A person receiving Social Security disability benefits would be considered permanently and totally disabled under legislation set before the New York Senate on Tuesday.

S.B. 1024 would amend the definition of permanent total disability to include “inability to perform the full range of sedentary work” and “approval for federal Social Security disability benefits as a result of a compensable accident or occupational disease.”

A statement of justification posted with the bill on the Senate’s website said workers receiving SSDI benefits often struggle to receive workers compensation benefits.

“Those on SSDI are already considered totally disabled at the federal level, and therefore, are unable to perform even sedentary work,” the statement reads. “Those that cannot work should be receiving the highest benefits available at 66.6% of their average weekly wages.”

WorkCompCentral is a sister publication of Business Insurance. More stories here.