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Can I Work If I Am On Disability

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Can You Work While Waiting For Disability Benefits

Can you work if you receive SSI disability payments?

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Can you work while applying for disability? Social Security Disability benefits can be very helpful to those who live with a disability. While waiting to hear if you qualify for disability benefits, it is still possible to continue working.However, any income from employment may put your eligibility at risk. Our Social Security Disability lawyers have the knowledge and experience to navigate the application process. They will help you develop a better understanding of how your work can affect your eligibility.Our Social Security Disability lawyers have the knowledge and experience to navigate the application process. They will help you develop a better understanding of how your work can affect your eligibility.

Hire A Disability Lawyer

If you are confused about your SGA or your income limits, or need help applying for benefits or appealing a denial of benefits with the SSA, you should consider hiring a disability benefits lawyer or advocate. A lawyer or advocate can help you gather necessary evidence, fill out your application, and make sure that you maximize your chance of receiving the disability benefits you need.

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You Also Need Work Credits To Qualify For Ssdi Benefits

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance , you must have earned enough work credits based on your job history. You earn work credits by working at a job that pays into Social Security and earning a certain amount of income throughout the year. You can earn up to four credits per year.

If you have a long history of working at a full-time job and recently stopped working, you most likely have enough work credits to meet the SSAs requirements. Our attorneys can look at your employment history to determine if you qualify.

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Trial Work Period For Social Security Disability Benefits

Recipients of disability benefits are given a 9-month period to test their ability to work without any change in their benefit amount. Therefore, during this period, you will continue to receive your benefits even if youre making more than the amounts specified as Substantial Gainful Activity . In order for any specific month to fall under the trial work period, you should make a minimum of $840 during that month.

After the 9-month trial work period, you are immediately considered for what is called an extended period of eligibility. This is an additional 36-month period where you will be eligible to receive benefits during any particular month in which your income falls below the $1,170/month.

Once you have continued to show your ability to work and receive income that is above the SGA level, your benefits will be discontinued. You will, however, be granted a 5-year period where you can have your benefits reinstated if you are forced to stop working due to your disability. This is what is referred to as expedited reinstatement.

What Work History Do I Need To Qualify For Benefits

Work is âOne Part of Who I Amâ? for those with disabilities

When you apply for disability, the SSA requires you to provide:

  • The date your medical condition affected your ability to work
  • Your work history
  • The types of duties you did in the primary job you had

After receiving this information, the SSA will evaluate your work history to determine what skills you learned, the responsibilities you had, and your jobs physical demands. This evaluation helps the SSA decide whether any of those skills or faculties could transfer to other jobs.

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Programs That Provide Work Incentives

The SSA supports the activities of applicants who would like to go back to work. They support several programs that provide incentives that make it easier for people to keep their benefits as they begin to work. These programs include the Plan to Achieve Self-Support , Work Expenses for Blind People, and Impairment-related work Expenses .

PASS is a program that allows you to save part of your income to be used to pay for work-related items. Work Expenses for Blind People allows for those who are blind to exclude any and all expenses that relate to their job from their income. This enables them to receive a larger benefit amount because a lower amount is deducted from benefits based on their income.

Impairment Related Work Expenses are costs that you incur while doing your job because you are disabled. Some of these costs can be excluded from your countable income in order for you to receive a larger benefit amount.

Can You Work While On Social Security Disability

Qualifying to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration isnât easy. Itâs not uncommon for the processing of an application to take six months, or more, before getting a decision. The SSA is not known for moving quickly or being easy to work with. As you probably know, thereâs a lot of red tape working with any government agency the SSA is no exception.

Based on this, you would think that working part-time while collecting SSDI benefits would be a definite âno-no.â But, surprisingly, thatâs not the case. The SSA wants you to work, so the amount of benefits they have to pay out is reduced. So yes, you can work while on social security disability.

But, there are, of course, some rules and regulations that Uncle Sam has imposed for you to continue to receive payment if youâre working while collecting SSDI benefits. Letâs take a look at how this works.

You need to know three things about collecting Social Security disability benefits while working: the trial work period, the extended period of eligibility, and work expenses related to your disability payment.

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Ner With Berger And Green On Your Disability Benefits Case

At Berger and Green, we customize a benefits strategy for each client. We can help you apply for benefits or challenge the SSAs decision if it denied your claim.

If your disability was caused by someone elses negligence in Pennsylvania, our team can explore the possibility of filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit to seek additional damages. We also help Disability claimants in Ohio. To begin your free case review, call us today.

How Works Affects Your Ssi Payment

Can I work part time and get Social Security Disability benefits?

It’s important to understand how SSI benefit amounts are calculated before you can figure out how working will affect your payments.

For the year 2021, the SSA will pay up to $794 in SSI benefits . This amount is called the federal benefit rate . Your monthly benefit amount is the difference between the FBR and your countable income. Your countable income is made up of the following:

  • wages you are paid from your job
  • the value of free food and shelter provided for you
  • support money from family or friends , and
  • payments from other sources, like veterans benefits or unemployment.

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How Much Can You Make While On Ssi Benefits

After you’re approved for SSI, the SGA limit no longer applies to you. With SSI, income works a bit differently. You can begin to work and continue to receive SSI benefits as long as your wages and other resources don’t exceed the SSA’s income limit for SSI but your monthly benefit amount will be reduced in proportion to your income.

Here’s how the SSA reduces your income due to your earnings. Both the federal benefit amount and the SSI countable income limit are $841 . The SSA will reduce your benefit by the amount of your “countable income.” Fortunately, not all of your income is countable income.

Calculating countable income. If your only income is from your job, the SSA doesn’t include the first $85 you earn toward your countable income. After taking the $85 adjustment off of your income, the SSA will deduct, from your monthly benefits, 50 cents for every dollar you earn. For example, if you earn $1,000 a month from working, you have $457.50 of countable income.

$1,000= $457.50

Your monthly SSI benefit amount would be reduced by $457.50.

You can earn up to about $1,675 a month, if you have no other income, before your SSI benefit is reduced to zero.

State supplemental payments. Your monthly benefit amount is also affected by the amount your state adds to the federal SSI payment, if any. For more information, see our article on how much SSI pays.

Learn more about the Ticket to Work program and other SSI work incentive programs.

Please Answer A Few Questions To Help Us Determine Your Eligibility

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One of the basic requirements for getting approved for disability benefits is that your medical condition is so severe it prevents you from performing a substantial amount of work. The Social Security Administration defines a substantial amount of work, which it calls substantial gainful activity , as earning $1,310 a month from working . Therefore, if you are earning this much from work when you apply for benefits, you will be denied.

However, once you get approved for SSI, the SSA no longer determines whether you are making over the SGA amount. But the SSA will reduce your SSI benefits if you are working by subtracting part of your income from your payment. If you go over the SSI income limit, the SSA will terminate your benefits. In general, though, the SSA encourages SSI recipients to try to go back to work and has created a number of work incentives that let a person work without losing their eligibility for benefits.

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Are Government Workers Eligible For Disability Benefits

Some government workers, including school employees, may be eligible for Disability Insurance benefits. To find out, review your collective bargaining contract. If you have wages from another employer in your base period, you may be eligible even though your current employer doesnt participate in State Disability Insurance. If you arent sure if youre eligible, file a claim anyway.

Can I Work While Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

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Debilitating injuries or serious illnesses can play a major role in a persons life, affecting their ability to work and support themselves and their family. For those who suffer from conditions that are severe enough to be considered a total disability, Social Security disability benefits can provide essential financial assistance. However, these benefits may not fully address a persons needs, and they may wish to supplement them by finding ways to earn an income. However, a person who is disabled may be concerned about whether returning to work will affect their ability to continue receiving benefits. By understanding the restrictions that apply and the options that are available, a person can ensure that they will continue to have the financial resources they need.

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If You Go Back To Work

If you’re like most people, you would rather try to work than live on disability benefits.

There are special rules that help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work. We call these rules work incentives. For more information about Social Security work incentives, read Working While Disabled: How We Can Help.

About A Trial Work Period

During your trial work period, the Social Security Administration will most likely want to know such things as whether you are undergoing medical care and whether you are working within the restrictions that qualified you as disabled. If the Social Security Administration determines that you are no longer disabled, your benefits may be suspended. However, if you then have to stop work again in the future, there will be a window of time during which you can reopen your original application in an expedited claim.

Rules and guidelines regarding returning to work after being approved for Social Security Disability benefits are both complex and straightforward. An experienced attorney can point the way to your most favorable course of action.

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Social Security Disability Insurance And The Trial Work Period

The trial work period lets you test your ability to work for at least nine months. They dont have to be nine months in a row, either. During this time, you will still receive your full disability benefit payment IF:

  • You tell the SSA that you are working, AND
  • You are still disabled by the SSAs rules.
  • In 2019, a trial work month is considered any month where you make over $880 pre-tax. If you work for more than nine months earning at least the $880 each month, then your trial work period is over. After your trial work period, you still have 36 months where you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings arent over $1,220.

    If you dont make at least $1,220 that month, you can still receive a disability check for that month without having to reapply or be ruled disabled. However, if you make over $1,220 that month, you will not receive a disability check.

    The SSA rules allow for a 3 month grace period after the first trial work period ends and before the extended period begins.

    If your benefits stop because of your earnings, but then you find you can no longer work anymore because of your condition, you have five years to ask the SSA to restart your benefits. They will review your condition to ensure you are still disabled under their rules, but you dont need to reapply or wait for benefits to start.

    Can I Get Benefits If I Am Living In A Residential Alcohol Rehabilitation Facility

    Can You Work While Getting Social Security Disability Insurance?

    You may qualify for up to 30 days of Disability Insurance benefits if you are living at an approved residential alcohol rehabilitation facility that a licensed health professional recommends. The facility must be licensed and certified by the state in which the facility is located.

    An additional 60 days may be paid if you remain a resident of the facility and your licensed health professional continues to certify to your need for continuing residential services.

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    Can I Receive Disability Insurance And Unemployment Insurance Benefits At The Same Time

    No. You cannot receive Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance benefits at the same time.

    You cannot certify for disability while also certifying for UI. You must choose the program that best applies to you.

    No. The State Disability Insurance program and contributions are mandatory under the California Unemployment Insurance Code.

    There are two exceptions:

    • If your employer or a majority of employees in your company apply for approval of a Voluntary Plan in place of SDI coverage. For more information visit: Voluntary Plan Information.
    • If you adhere to the faith or teaching of a bona fide religious sect, denomination, or organization whose creed, tenets, or principles require dependence on prayer for healing you may request an exemption. Complete and mail the Religious Exemption Certificate to the address on the form. If you are granted this exemption, you will not be eligible to receive SDI benefits.

    What To Report If You Work And Are Waiting For Ssdi Or Ssi Benefits

    If you are waiting to hear if you qualify for benefits, make sure to inform the Social Security Administration of any changes with your work. The changes that need to be reported to the SSA include:

    • You start or stop work
    • You reported your work but duties, hours, or pay changed
    • You start paying expenses for work because of your disability

    You can report changes of work by phone, mail, or in person. Find your local office to get in contact to make these changes. If you need assistance, lawyers at our office can help you navigate this process.

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    How Many Hours Can You Work For Someone Else

    The number of hours worked is less significant if you are not self-employed. In general, your monthly income is the most important factor in determining your disability eligibility. However, working an excessive number of hours may have an effect on your case.

    For instance, suppose you work close to full-time hours although earning less than $1,350 per month. The Social Security Administration may determine that you are capable of working a full-time job and refuse your benefits. If you can work a lot of hours, convincing Social Security that you are disabled will be more difficult.

    How Your Earnings Can Affect Your Social Security Benefits

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    There are many factors that can affect whether or not you can get benefits and how long you can get benefits for, and your earnings are one of them. When working while applying for Social Security Disability benefits, it is important to make sure you are not making more than the income threshold for each type of program.

    According to the Social Security Administration, you cannot earn more than what is considered substantial gainful activity . As of 2022, you cannot earn more than $1,350 per month to qualify for benefits as a non-blind individual. When applying for SSI benefits, you cannot make significant income or assets. This program is need-based and only certain incomes or asset levels are eligible.

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    Frequently Asked Questions About Working With A Disability

    How will working affect my disability benefits and health care coverage?

    This is a complicated question and the answer varies by situation and individual. In order to address your specific concerns about how working will affect your disability benefits or health care coverage, we have Disability Resource Coordinators available in some of our One-Stop Career Centers around the state. All of our Disability Resource Coordinators are certified benefits counselors who can provide free benefits counseling and tell you about the Ticket to Work Program. Go to the Disability Employment Initiative , to locate a Disability Resource Coordinator near you.

    What is the Ticket to Work Program?

    Ticket to Work is a free and voluntary program that can help Social Security Beneficiaries go to work and become financially independent. Individuals ages 18-64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income may qualify for this program. To find out more about the Ticket to Work Program, go to the Disability Employment Initiative to contact a Disability Resource Coordinator.

    Can I return to work while receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income ?

    If I go to work, will I automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaid?

    If I use my Ticket to go to work, will the Social Security Administration conduct a medical review of my case?

    How can the local One Stop Career Center in my county assist me with the Ticket to Work Program?

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