Can Amazon Drivers or Warehouse Workers Get Disability Benefits?

Can Amazon Workers & Drivers Get Disability Benefits?

Amazon warehouse workers and drivers are some of the hardest working people in the nation’s economy today. These jobs are grueling and unfortunately do not pay as well as they should. Warehouse workers, also known as “fulfillment employees” are paid an average of about $20 per hour for extremely demanding work. Also, flex drivers are paid slightly more, averaging about $22/hr but are independent contractors – which means they get zero benefits and even less pay than warehouse workers, after subtracting expenses. This is not an ideal working situation, but what happens when the unthinkable happens and a person loses their ability to work due to a disability? What kind of protections do these workers have?

By the way, if you have any questions contact Baltimore SSDI Lawyer Emmett B. Irwin by clicking here. Remember, we represent people up and down the East Coast even though we’re located in Baltimore.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Luckily, there are protections built into the system to help most people who become disabled. First, Social Security Disability (SSDI) is an option for warehouse workers because they are W-2 employees. But drivers may not be if they are classified as independent contractors (aka 1099 workers). Flex drivers, the drivers that deliver packages to peoples’ doors, are usually independent contractors. Drivers who drive the bigger trucks might be W-2 employees. For a more detailed explanation of the different treatment of W-2 workers and gig drivers click here.

Workers who have enough social security credits also need to meet the SSA definition of disability in order to get SSDI. Basically, one needs to be unable to work at any full time job to qualify. A more detailed explanation of the rules can be found here. An Amazon driver or warehouse worker who consistently makes $30k-$40k per year would likely get from $1,000-$1,500 per month in SSDI and get Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits. Not the best, but better than nothing.

But the bottom line is that if you have been an independent contractor for 5 years or more, you probably didn’t pay enough Self-Employment taxes to qualify for SSDI. If so, you may be eligible for the following benefits, so read on.

Workers’ Compensation (WC)

If you’re disabled because you’ve been injured while working then you might get WC. Again this depends on whether you’re classified as a W-2 employee or an independent contractor. The rules are complicated and vary from state to state, but permanent total disability could pay you up to 2/3 of your salary until retirement and pay your related medical expenses. As a Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyer, we can answer questions relating to WC if you contact us.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a disability benefit akin to SSDI through the Social Security Administration (SSA) for people who are impoverished. For a complete explanation of the difference between SSI and SSDI click here.

Unfortunately SSI is vastly inferior to SSDI, but independent contractors and/or people who have worked less than 5 out of the last 10 years may be stuck with SSI. If you have any questions about this or anything else, contact Baltimore Social Security attorney Emmett B. Irwin here.

Short Term or Long Term Disability Benefits

Again, W-2 employees may get these benefits but 1099 independent contractors will probably not. Amazon Drivers probably don’t have access to either short term or long term disability benefits. Amazon warehouse workers aka “fulfillment employees” will probably have some kind of short term disability benefits (“short term” meaning less than 6 months) but will never have employer-sponsored long term disability benefits. Alas, you will have to have already paid for your own LTD policy before you become disabled.

So that’s the scoop for Amazon workers, if you have any general questions or want representation please contact Baltimore SSDI Lawyer Emmett B. Irwin by clicking here. Remember, we represent people up and down the East Coast even though we’re located in Baltimore.