Can I collect unemployment in Illinois?

Can you collect both unemployment benefits and Social Security Disability benefits at the same time in Illinois?

• Answer:

  Because the Social Security Administration has a very severe test on whether you qualify for their program, if you are unable to work, it's unlikely you would be eligible for Illinois' unemployment benefit because you are required to actively search for full time work, among other things. However, this applies to the Social Security Disability program, not the normal Social security benefits, described in the answer below. You can collect unemployment and Social Security in Illinois, BUT because of what is called the offset law, you will only receive part of your rightful unemployment payment. For example, $145 a week is deducted from my unemployment payment because I receive Social Security. The state legislature in Springfield has to repeal the offset law so senior workers can get our full unemployment payments. Illinois AARP can put you in touch with people who are trying to get the law repealed in the 2010 session. Illinois, Louisiana, Utah and Puerto Rico are the only places in the US that still have an offset law.