Cite as: 526 U. S. 795 (1999)
Opinion of the Court
Matthew D. Roberts argued the cause for the United States et al. as amici curiae urging reversal. With him on the brief were Solicitor General Waxman, Acting Assistant Attorney General Lee, Deputy Solicitor General Underwood, Arthur J. Fried, C. Gregory Stewart, Philip B. Sklover, Lorraine C. Davis, and Robert J. Gregory. Stephen G. Morrison argued the cause for respondents. With him on the brief were C. Adair Bledsoe, Jr., David N. Kitner, and Kimberly S. Moore.*
Justice Breyer delivered the opinion of the Court.
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides benefits to a person with a disability so severe that she is "unable to do [her] previous work" and "cannot . . . engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy." § 223(a) of the Social Security Act, as set forth in 42 U. S. C. § 423(d)(2)(A). This case asks whether the law erects a special presumption that would significantly inhibit an SSDI recipient from simultaneously pursuing an action for disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), claiming that "with . . . reasonable accommodation" she could "per-form the essential functions" of her job. § 101, 104 Stat. 331, 42 U. S. C. § 12111(8).
We believe that, in context, these two seemingly divergent statutory contentions are often consistent, each with the other. Thus pursuit, and receipt, of SSDI benefits does not automatically estop the recipient from pursuing an ADA claim. Nor does the law erect a strong presumption against
*Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were filed for the Aids Policy Center for Children, Youth, and Families et al. by Catherine A. Hanssens and Beatrice Dohrn; and for the National Employment Lawyers Association et al. by Alan B. Epstein and Paula A. Brantner.
Briefs of amici curiae urging affirmance were filed for the Association of American Railroads by Daniel Saphire; and for the Equal Employment Advisory Council by Ann Elizabeth Reesman.
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