After years of service as a railroad worker, you may not get enough credit for your dangerous line of work. Between working with heavy machinery, being exposed to toxic substances, and repetitive heavy lifting, all while worrying about derailments, it may be very difficult to avoid any injuries throughout your career. And in the unfortunate event that you were exposed to such dangers, you may want to seek financial aid in some way, possibly through the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits programs. Well, please continue reading to learn whether you can receive SSDI benefits after being made an injured railroad worker and how an experienced lawyer in SSDI eligibility in New Jersey, at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur, can help you seek the appropriate form of recovery.

Can I receive SSDI benefits after being made an injured railroad worker?

Unfortunately, no, railroad workers are generally ineligible for SSDI benefits after enduring a railroad accident. This is because they may be covered by the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) instead. Specifically, the RRA was established as a national retirement system for railroad workers in 1934. And if 1946, it expanded to include disability benefits for these workers. With this, the Railroad Retirement Board decides on and administers benefits to railroad workers and their dependent family members.

You may feel better knowing that the annuity rates under the RRA are typically higher than those of the Social Security Act. This may be especially true for railroad employees with 30-plus years of service in the railroad industry. For example, injured railroad workers who retired directly from the railroad industry were rewarded $3,810 per month, on average, in 2023. This is compared to other injured workers who received an average of $1,665 per month with SSDI benefits in 2023.

Can I receive SSDI benefits after being made a victim of a railroad accident?

On the other hand, say that you were injured in a railroad accident as a passenger or passerby. For instance, as a passenger, a train operator may have failed to brake safely. Or, as a passerby, you may have fallen victim to a faulty railroad crossing traffic signal. In any event, you may be eligible to receive SSDI benefits after such an accident.

Generally, for these monthly payments, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security. Then, you must have incurred an injury or disability recognized by the SSA as part of their benefits program. So, if you meet these general criteria, you may proceed in your pursuit of this government assistance program.

We advise you to reach out to a skilled lawyer in SSDI eligibility in New Jersey sooner rather than later. We are confident that you will not regret retaining the services of our team at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur.