What are the rules for working while on disability?
- Requires little or no cost. Accommodating a disabled employee costs absolutely nothing in 58 percent of companies. ...
- Accommodations are effective. According to JAN, 75 percent of employers report that accommodations they’ve made have proven effective.
- Retaining a disabled employee provides both direct and indirect benefits. ...
Can you work part-time and still get disability?
Generally, Social Security will find you disabled if you can't sustain full-time work on a regular basis. But if your regular work before applying for disability was part-time work, and Social Security finds you can still do this work, your claim can be denied.
Can you work from home while on short term disability?
Yes, it’s even encouraged. The Social Security Administration helps disabled people find employment through work-incentive programs.
Can you still work while receiving Social Security disability?
You can generally work part time while you apply for Social Security disability benefits as long as your earnings don't exceed a certain amount set by Social Security each year.
How long can you work on a disability?
If you’re applying for disability, then you’re telling the government you cannot work for at least 12 months. Your credibility is an important part of your disability claim. Social Security needs to know it can trust the evidence you’ve provided for why you deserve benefits.
How does work affect disability?
This affects applicants for disability differently from current recipients of disability: Disability applicants who wish to return to work one day may choose to file for unemployment benefits.
What happens if you are on unemployment?
If you’re drawing unemployment benefits, then you’re telling the government that you’re still looking for a job and intend to return to the workforce as soon as possible. If you’re applying for disability, then you’re telling the government you cannot work for at least 12 months.
How does work affect SGA?
How much you work affects your income. You’re more likely to be over SGA if you’re working full-time than if you’re working part-time . However, how much you’re working affects your claim beyond your income level. It also tells Social Security something about your disabling condition (s).
What is a trial work period for Social Security?
A trial work period allows recipients to attempt to work for a period of time without risking losing their benefits. Earning more than $880 a month (gross) triggers a trial work period.
Do I have to repay unemployment?
You may have to repay your unemployment benefits after you’ve been approved for disability. Your onset date of disability could even be affected if you draw unemployment benefits, potentially reducing or completely eliminating any past due benefits you would have otherwise qualified for.
Does SSIS take into account household income?
An Extra Consideration for SSI. Keep in mind that SSI takes into account not just your income, but your household income as well. That means that in addition to not engaging in SGA, you also have to meet certain household income limitations to qualify for SSI.
Can I work and apply for SSDI benefits?
This is a tough question, and it basically boils down to how the Social Security Administration makes their disability determination.
Options while you wait for SSDI benefits
So what are your options? If you want to apply for SSDI benefits you will have stop working and making too much money. For non-blind individuals, in 2015, this means you can make up to $1090 per month. But that is only part of the consideration.
Do I have to quit work for 12 months before I apply?
Another misconception SSDI applicants sometimes have is that they have to stop working for 12 months before they can apply for benefits. This is not true. Although your condition has to be expected to last 12 continuous months, you should apply for SSDI benefits as soon as you are unable to perform substantial gainful activity.
Do I need a lawyer?
Disability applicants are denied SSDI at extremely high rates. Having a lawyer may help your case at every level in the disability process.
Working while filing for disability benefits
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration understands having some income is necessary while waiting for benefits. Thus, guidelines are in place so that people can still take care of themselves while their claim is pending.
Gross Earnings Limit Under Substantial Gainful Activity
Your gross earnings must stay below the limit set by Social Security, called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA is raised each year to accommodate the cost of living. Currently, the SGA for 2019 is $1,220. For those that are statutorily blind, the amount is higher at $2,040 for 2019.
The Type of Work You Do May Affect Your Claim
Keep in mind that the type of work you chose to do may also affect your claim. While earning more than SGA is complete bar to receiving benefits, work under SGA is evidence for the Social Security Administration of what you can and can’t do.
Can You Qualify for Disability if You Worked Under the Table?
If you think you can work under the table while on disability – think again. Having a job under the table can compromise your eligibility for benefits. It’s also important to understand that one must have a sufficient work history to have contributed to the disability fund.
Will SSA See All of My Work History?
Do not think you can hide your work history from Social Security. Because they look at your earnings, they will always be able to tell when you worked and how much you earned in any given year, as long as they are jobs in which you paid taxes. They even receive information simply of your hiring.
Considering Going Back to Work While on Disability Benefits?
If you are being represented, always discuss the possibility of returning to work with your attorney/representative before taking the job. He or she will want to advise you as to whether it is a wise move in regards to your claim.
Working While You Wait
Having part-time employment is by no means a barrier to receiving disability payments from the federal government. What matters here is the level of income you’re able to earn and the type of work you’re able to do.
Five-Month Waiting Period for Disability Benefits
Obtaining at least a small source of income is particularly important given the five-month waiting period before SSD benefits begin. Once approved, your checks won’t start coming in every month until five months after the established onset date (EOD) of your disability as determined by government examiners.
Dire Need Letters and Expedited Claims
Given the precarious nature of your finances, writing a letter stating your ‘dire need’ to the Social Security Administration would seem like a ready way to speed up the approval process. Sadly, examiners don’t take these factors into account during the initial review process.
Our Pennsylvania Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help
When you need financial help because you can’t work, you absolutely have to get your SSD application right the first time. Call our disability lawyers today, and we can put our decades of experience filing thousands of successful claims to bear for you.
What is the second viable strategy while waiting for a disability decision?
Deferment or forbearance of existing loans is the second viable strategy while waiting for a disability decision. Both alternatives allow you to temporarily suspend making payments or reduce each installment’s size if you are experiencing economic hardship.
Can you collect unemployment while disabled?
The eligibility criteria for the two programs are mutually exclusive. Collecting unemployment for medical reasons is impermissible while you remain disabled because you will fail three universal rules. Physically able to work. Available for employment.
Can you file for Workers Compensation while waiting for a disability?
Workers Compensation is another excellent way to replace income while waiting for a disability decision if you suffered an occupational (on-the-job) accident or illness. File a claim immediately if you fit into this category.
There is help available while you're waiting for Social Security or SSI disability payments, but you have to piece it together
There is help available while you're waiting for Social Security or SSI disability payments, but you have to piece it together.
Department of Social Services
If you haven't gone to your local Department of Social Services (DSS), you might want to consider doing that.
Public Assistance
Previously known as "welfare," public assistance (called General Assistance or General Relief in some areas) is a state program that pays a limited amount of benefits to those without children. The amount of the benefit, and how long it can be paid, varies widely by state and county.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The TANF program, a federal program operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides cash assistance to low-income families for a limited period of time.
Food Stamps
Food stamps are available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for disabled individuals. You will be financially eligible for food stamps if you are financially eligible for SSI (there is a low asset limit). You can apply for food stamps at most Social Security offices.
Charities
When I was a caseworker (in addition to being a disability examiner, I was a former medicaid caseworker and a former food stamp caseworker), individuals in need could get referrals to private charitable organizations that could occasionally assist with rent, utility, and transportation assistance.
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
You might also want to contact the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in your state. If you qualify for VR assistance, this department can sometimes assist you in a variety of different ways, even to the extent of getting you examined by a physician to determine the extent of your limitations.
