Monday, March 25, 2024

Can You Work And Get Disability

Don't Miss

What Evidence Do You Have To Provide To Collect Short

Can you work while receiving CPP disability?

Your physician will need to sign off on your claim form before you even submit your application, to vouch for the fact that your injury or illness prevents you from working.

After you submit your claim, your employer or the insurance company who administers your short-term disability plan will request that you submit your medical records so that they can review them and verify that theyre consistent with your disability claim. Contact your healthcare providers office to find out the best way to send those records over.

It can feel a little invasive to hand over these types of private documents, but know that its a standard part of the benefits process.

Extended Period Of Eligibility

So how does SGA affect a personâs eligibility to continue receiving his or her SSDI check? After the individual has accumulated 9 months of a TWP, he or she then has a 36- month period referred to as an âextended period of eligibilityâ . During the EPE, Social Security looks at whether earnings in any given month exceed the applicable SGA amount, after taking into account any gross wage reductions for IRWE or work subsidies. If adjusted net earnings exceed the applicable SGA amount, Social Security will make a determination of cessation of disability. The SSDI benefit amount will be terminated after the third month from the cessation of disability month. If wages drop below the SGA amount in any given month during the 36-month EPE, the SSDI benefit amount will be reinstated.

The importance of the EPE is that an individual can again receive the SSDI benefit amount in any month during the 36-month period when countable earnings fall below the SGA amount.

Contact Our Social Security Disability Attorneys

For consultation with a lawyer about your eligibility for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income, contact Donovan O’Connor & Dodig, LLP. We have offices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as in Bennington, Vermont, to serve you. You can reach us in Massachusetts at and in Vermont at or via email.

All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis you will pay no attorneys fees unless we win compensation in your case.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does Disability Pay In California

Can You Do Any Other Type Of Work

If you cant do the work you did in the past, we look to see if there is other work you could do despite your medical impairment.

We consider your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have. If you cant do other work, well decide you are disabled. If you can do other work, well decide that you dont have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied.

Can You Work While On Social Security Disability Yes But Use Caution

Can I Work &  Still Get Social Security Disability Benefits ...

Social Security Disability benefits are for individuals who genuinely need financial help and cannot maintain full-time work. Can you work while on Social Security Disability? Yes! However, its important not to abuse the system. Use caution and make accurate earning reports when choosing part-time work to supplement your disability benefits from the SSA.

If you need help navigating the rules of your disability benefits, we can help! Contact our team or call us 617-825-0965.

You May Like: Reserve Retirement Pay Calculator

How Much Paperwork Is Involved

The exact paperwork youll be required to complete is again dependent on your specific plan. But the process typically begins with a relatively straightforward claim form that requires some information from you , your employer , and validation from your doctor that your condition prevents you from working.

Fortunately, if you find yourself confused about any of the documents or applications, you can ask for helpwhether its from your companys own HR department or even people at your doctors office.

I actually found the team at my physicians office to be extremely helpful, says Tiernan, who admits her own leave process was slightly more complicated, as she took advantage of both short-term disability and FMLA for the birth of her child .

They have a whole team dedicated entirely to filling out forms and navigating this process, so I was on the phone with them a lot. They helped me figure out the best forms to fill out, what the dates would be, and any follow-ups that I needed. They even spoke to my HR team directly here at the office.

What Type Of Work History Do I Need To Qualify For Benefits

When you apply for disability, SSA rules require you to provide information on the work that you have done within the past 15 years.

The SSA evaluates your work history to determine what skills you learned, the responsibilities you had, and physical demands of your prior jobs. This evaluation helps the SSA decide whether any of those skills or faculties could transfer to other work.

Read Also: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay

The Ticket To Work Program

If youre an SSDI recipient wanting to work but unable to perform any of your past jobs, you may be eligible for free vocational rehabilitation, schooling, or technical training through Social Securitys Ticket to Work program. Those participating in Ticket to Work will be evaluated at a vocational rehabilitation office and a plan will be developed for the individual to try to return to the workforce. As an added incentive, Social Security may not initiate a Continuing Disability Review of an individual in the Ticket to Work program.

Medical Expense Tax Credit

Can I work if I’m getting social security disability benefits?

You can claim the cost of certain medicines, devices and treatments to get a medical expense tax credit.

You can claim these expenses for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, or your children.

You may get the tax credit for expenses such as:

  • changes you made to your home or car to make it more accessible
  • accessible computer software
  • braille printers

You usually need a prescription to claim disability supports.

You may get the disability supports deduction even if you’re not eligible for the disability tax credit.

You May Like: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay

You Need Work Credits To Qualify For Some Disability Benefits

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance , you must have earned enough work credits based on your age. You can 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, you probably have enough work credits to meet the requirements for SSDI. Our attorneys can look at your work history to help you determine if you qualify.

Is Your Job Protected While You Take Short

Unlike a leave of absence you might take under the Family and Medical Leave Act , short-term disability doesnt offer any direct job protection. Many people are surprised to hear that you can legally be fired from your job while on leave, and you also arent entitled to the exact same position when you return.

However, the Americans With Disabilities Act protects people who meet the ADAs definition of disability, and makes it far more challenging for companies who are covered by ADA to fire an employee due to their disability.

Before terminating an employee, the company must first determine whether or not there are any accommodations they could make that would allow the employee to adequately do their job.

The company must work with the employee to try several variations of accommodations in an effort to find something that works. If theres no reasonable way to enable that person to fulfill the essential responsibilities of their position, only then can the employer explore termination of the employee.

Don’t Miss: Is A Food Allergy Considered A Disability

How Many Hours Can You Work While On Social Security Retirement

In general, if you work more than 45 hours a month in self- employment, youre not retired if you work less than 15 hours a month, youre retired. If you work between 15 and 45 hours a month, you wont be considered retired if its in a job that requires a lot of skill, or youre managing a sizable business.

Working While Applying For Benefits

How Can We Get People with Disabilities Back to Work ...

Keep in mind that the mere fact that you are working, even if you are making less than $1,310 per month, may influence whether a disability claims examiner or a disability judge believes you are disabled, especially if you’re working more than 15 or 20 hours a week. For this reason, many disability lawyers and representatives will advise their clients not to work while their case is pending. For more information, see our article on whether you have to quit work when applying for disability benefits.

  • Trade
  • Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    Don’t Miss: Retired Reserve Pay Calculator

    Can You Receive Retroactive Payments

    Once the SSA approves your SSDI application and calculates your monthly benefit, you may be entitled to a back pay award. How many months of payments you will receive will depend on the date you applied for benefits and your disability onset date.

    If you are applying for SSDI benefits, you need the assistance of a skilled Social Security disability lawyer to get your application approved and receive the benefits you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team, fill out the online form on this page or call our Roswell office today.

    Related Links:

    Rights And Government Policies

    The disability rights movement aims to secure equal opportunities and equal rights for disabled people. The specific goals and demands of the movement are accessibility and safety in transportation, architecture, and the physical environment equal opportunities in independent living, employment, education, and housing and freedom from abuse, neglect, and violations of patients’ rights. Effective civil rights legislation is sought to secure these opportunities and rights.

    The early disability rights movement was dominated by the medical model of disability, where emphasis was placed on curing or treating disabled people so that they would adhere to the social norm, but starting in the 1960s, rights groups began shifting to the social model of disability, where disability is interpreted as an issue of discrimination, thereby paving the way for rights groups to achieve equality through legal means.

    Advocacy for disability issues and accessibility in the republics of the former Soviet Union has become more organized and influential in policymaking.

    Recommended Reading: How Much Does Disability Pay In California

    How To Apply For Long Term Disability

    You apply for long-term disability benefits by filling out forms. In other words, you are submitting an application or claim. Then, you simply send the completed forms to the insurance company. After that, they assign an insurance representative to review your claim.

    There are three forms you must fill out, or arrange to be filled out:

    • Notice of Claim You fill this out
    • Employers Report Your employer fills this out
    • Medical Report Your doctor fills this out

    You can get these forms from your employer. If you are already dealing with the insurance company, then they may give them to you. But, its up to you to arrange for everyone to fill out the forms.

    What to learn more about applying for long-term disability? Check out our 7-Step Guide on How to Apply for Long-term Disability

    You Can Work As Long As Your Countable Income Doesn’t Go Above The Ssi Income Limit

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

    By Melissa Linebaugh, Contributing Author

    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.

    Read Also: How Much Does Disability Pay In California

    How Much Time Off Do You Get With Short

    While I might sound like a broken record, a concern like, How long is short-term disability? is another aspect that can vary depending on your own plan.

    By definition, its short-term, but it can range in duration. Ive seen be as short as 30 days and as long as one year, Bartolic says, pointing to the maximum covered benefit periods hes seen in his own practice. It depends on the overall structure of the disability benefits through the employer.

    Your time off also depends on your specific health problem. The medical field has guidelines as to how long recovery should take, explains Bartolic. That provides a roadmap for your employer or plan provider to establish a reasonable amount of time for you to be out of work.

    What if things are really serious and youre not looking at a few weeks or even months away from the jobbut much longer? That would fall under a long-term disability benefit, if your employer offers such a thing.

    As the names imply, short-term disability is used to cover injuries or illnesses that persist for a shorter amount of time . In contrast, long-term disability comes into play for any issues that will take you out of work for longer than that.

    Whats It Like To Return To Work After Short

    As the above answer illustrates, depending on your disability, different logistical elements obviously need to be sorted out upon your return.

    But thats not the only factor at play heretheres also an emotional and relational element involved when you return to the office after an extended amount of time off.

    Most of it was just emotional and mental fatigue after having spent four months not really on a computer every day or using my brain in that kind of way, says Tiernan.

    There was the expectation that I was going to be able to jump back in right away, she adds. Looking back, I appreciate that now because I dont think I wouldve been able to transition as well as I had if it had been slow.

    In addition, companies arent stagnant and there are likely some larger changes that will happen while youre out on your leaveincluding employees leaving and new team members being added. There were shifts that occurred during my time gone, so I needed to readjust to the changes that had happened, Tiernan adds.

    Recommended Reading: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay

    What Are The Ssas Income Requirements

    Before it will award disability, the SSA will ask for proof that your condition keeps you from earning too much income to qualify for benefits. To do this, the organization will compare your monthly income against its Substantial Gainful Activity limit. If you earn less than this monthly amount, you could qualify for benefits.

    It is important to note that the SSA does not include every type of earning in your monthly income limit. If you earn money through a non-work source, you could still qualify for benefits even if you make more than the SGA limit.

    Va Disability And Working: Can I Work With A 100% Military Disability Rating

    How you can help people with disabilities get back to work ...

    by Veteran Toolbox | Oct 31, 2018 | Health & Fitness |

    Believe it or not, it is still possible to receive Veterans Affairs disability and continue working. Even with a 100% military disability rating, there are still opportunities available to work and earn a personal income.

    In the real world, you rarely find a veteran lounging on the couch all day for seven days a week after being assigned a disability rating of 100%. Despite their rating, many still consider themselves able to contribute and decide to land a part-time or full-time gig.

    For others, working is an important part of who they are, and they simply must pitch in to have something to do with their time. In other cases, veterans are sadly forced to continue working because even a 100% VA disability rating falls short of covering all their living expenses.

    Also Check: How To Change My Va Disability Direct Deposit

    What Are Your Options If Your Short

    The first thing to do is to carefully read the correspondence thats saying its not being approved, advises Bartolic. That will tell the person a lot, and will tell them what to do if they disagree with the decision.

    Most disability plans in America are covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act , which means claims are reviewed through the lens of this federal law.

    If your plan is covered by ERISA, the law requires that the denied individual be presented with a right to appeal that decision. Its a mandatory feature of it, explains McDonald. That period of appeal is 180 days. During that time, you have perhaps your single best opportunity to give evidence to the insurer or plan administrator about why theyre wrong and why youre entitled to those benefits.

    If you go through the appeal process and still are unable to convince them of your disability, then unfortunately youll have to initiate a lawsuit.

    More articles

    Popular Articles