Memorandum from CALJ: Receipt of Unemployment Insurance Benefits by Calimant Applying for Disability Benefits REMINDER

National Chief ALJ Frank Cristaudo has issued a memo reminding ALJs that receipt of UI benefits is one of many factors that must be considered in determining whether a claimant meets the disability standard, citing SSR 00-1c as supplying analogous reasoning.  The memo emphasizes that it is not SSA position to make applicants choose between UI and Social Security disability benefits.  An application for UI benefits must be considered, however, to determine whether the SSDI applicant sought, during the alleged period of disability, jobs with demands in excess of the person's alleged limitations.