When a work-related injury or illness keeps you from earning an income, understanding your options for support can make all the difference. Two of the most common types of benefits available through workers’ compensation are Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Permanent Partial Disability (PPD).
While both can help you recover financially after an injury, they apply to very different situations. Knowing the difference is key not only to managing your recovery but also to understanding how these benefits connect with Social Security Disability programs like SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
This guide breaks down what TTD and PPD mean, who qualifies, and how we can help you navigate the next steps if your condition prevents you from working long term or if you’re exploring your options to safely return to work.
What Is Temporary Total Disability (TTD)?
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are paid by your employer’s Workers Compensation (WC) insurance carrier after a work injury to provide financial support when you are unable to due to a work-related injury or illness.
Key points about TTD benefits:
- You receive TTD payments only while you are totally unable to work.
- Payments continue until your doctor clears you to return to work or determines you have reached MMI.
- The amount you receive is usually a percentage of your average weekly wage before the injury.
- Once your recovery progresses, your eligibility may shift to another benefit type if you still have limitations.
In a nutshell, Temporary Total Disability helps bridge the gap between your injury and your ability to return to work. However, if your condition does not fully improve, you may qualify for additional long-term disability support through Social Security programs.
What Is Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)?
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits apply when your work injury causes a permanent impairment, but you are still able to perform some level of work. Cash benefits for PPD are different in each state, and are paid by your employer’s Workers Compensation insurance policy. For example, an injured worker may have some type of residual impairment due to a work injury, that doesn’t allow them to return to work at full capacity. PPD benefits are paid to compensate the worker for their lasting limitations. Examples: a worker may lose partial use of a limb, be unable to perform a work funciton, or have limitations on lifitng, etc.
Key points about PPD benefits:
- You can still work in some capacity, but your abilities are reduced.
- Payments may come as a lump sum or installments after reaching MMI.
- The amount and duration depend on the type and severity of your impairment, as well as state-specific workers’ compensation laws.
- Your doctor or an independent medical examiner will determine your impairment rating, which influences the benefit amount.
Permanent Partial Disability is often a stepping stone for workers who want to continue working but cannot perform their previous job. In other cases, it serves as partial compensation for permanent damage that reduces lifetime earning capacity.
Which Type of Disability Qualifies for SSDI or SSI?
While both TTD and PPD are workers’ compensation benefits, they can also connect with Social Security Disability programs.
To qualify for SSDI or SSI, you must show that your medical condition:
- Prevents you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), in other words, you cannot earn above a certain monthly limit due to your condition. Learn about SGA here: What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
- Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
If your injury or illness leads to long-term or permanent disability beyond what your workers’ compensation covers, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
We can help you determine whether your condition meets SSA’s requirements and guide you through the application process at no cost.
How SSDI and SSI Work with Workers’ Compensation
Many people receiving workers’ compensation are unsure if they can also receive SSDI or SSI benefits. The answer depends on your specific situation.
- You can apply for SSDI or SSI while receiving workers’ compensation, but your combined benefits may be adjusted so that total payments don’t exceed certain limits.
- Workers’ compensation offsets can affect your SSDI amount, but not your SSI since SSI is a need-based program.
- Medical evidence from your workers’ compensation case can often be used to support your SSA disability application, reducing duplication and delays.
Having a consistent medical record and accurate documentation helps you strengthen both claims and avoid unnecessary denials.
When to Consider Applying for Disability Benefits
If you sustained a work injury which results in you stopping work and an injury that results in you having a surgery; then we recommend you call us to apply for benefits as early as possible. Or, if your recovery has plateaued and your doctor determines you have a permanent restriction or impairment, it may be time to apply for Social Security Disability.
You may qualify if:
- Your physical impairment causes you to be off work at least 12 months or more.
- You can no longer perform your previous work or similar jobs.
- Your doctor confirms your condition prevents full-time employment.
- You have already received TTD or PPD and your income remains limited.
What if I’m Considering Returning to Work and Want to Protect My Benefits?
Many individuals hesitate to return to work after a Work Injury or Workers Compensation (WC) claim, and they fear losing their disability benefits. However, the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program was created to help people safely transition back to employment while keeping essential benefits.
Through Ticket to Work, you can:
- Receive professional support by SSA approved Career & Benefits Counselors to test your ability to work.
- Access job training, resume assistance, and ongoing support.
- Receive assistance how to apply for jobs, and how to naviate difficult interview questions after sustaining a work injury.
- Receive free services from an Employment Network like Disability Services of America that help you maintain financial stability while you rebuild your career.
This program allows you to explore your options confidently, knowing your benefits remain protected during the transition. We can help you understand your option, don’t hesitate to call us.
Whether you are currently receiving TTD, PPD, or considering applying for SSDI or SSI, Disability Services of America can provide free guidance and support every step of the way.
Our team helps:
- Determine if you are able to qualify for SSDI benefits due to your work injury.
- Review your case to see if you meet SSA’s medical and work requirements.
- Prepare your SSDI or SSI application with complete documentation.
- Once you are approved (or if you have be released to MMI, and want to return to work now while submitting a SSDI claim for a closed period of disability) we can help you return to work.
- Connect you with Ticket to Work services if you’re ready to rejoin the workforce.
We make the process simpler, clearer, and tailored to your individual needs, so you can focus on recovery and long-term financial security.
Take the Next Step Toward Financial Stability
If your work injury or illness prevents you from earning an income, or if your temporary benefits have ended but you are still struggling to work, help is available. We can help you understand your options and guide you toward the right disability program.
Contact us at 888-689-6760 or complete our online form to get personalized help with your SSDI or SSI application or to learn how to protect your benefits while returning to work.