Will the $250 federal stimulus payment to SSA and SSI recipients be subject to workers’ compensation offset?

A question has come up whether workers’ compensation programs will offset, as permitted by federal and state law for those who receive both workers’ compensation benefits and social security benefits, the one time $250 federal stimulus payment due to SSA and SSI recipients in late May 2009. At least in Washington State it appears that the federal stimulus monies will NOT be offset by the Department of Labor and Industries, the agency which administers both the state fund and self insurance programs. While it appears likely a workers’ compensation program COULD offset the $250 just like any other benefits received from Social Security, the Department of Labor and Industries, upon inquiry, has advised that it will NOT be offsetting the one time payment. It is quite likely that the costs of entering a separate order in each individual claim modifying the offset based on a one time payment was felt to exceed any benefit enjoyed from the one time $250 windfall, but for whatever reason, it appears that the stimulus monies are safe for now…