Am I Allowed to Work While Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability is an insurance program, in that your “premiums” are withheld from your pay check each pay period. To qualify for Disability benefits, you must have worked five out of the last ten years, be unable to work for 12 months or more due to a disabling condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or end in death, are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or naturalized alien.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a threshold of how much you can earn and still be considered disabled. That amount is substantial gainful activity (SGA), which in 2018 is $1,180. If you are well enough to earn more than SGA, the Social Security Administration will not approve your claim for benefits.

The SSA has published a free guide, called Working While Disabled, which contains all the details about the ways the Social Security Administration is supportive of you supplementing your benefits by working part time. The SSA’s “Ticket to Work” program can help disabled people receive free vocational rehabilitation services, job training, referrals, and other employment supports. There is also a trial work period which allows you to test your ability to work for nine months within a 60-month period while continuing to receive full benefits. You must report all your earnings over $840. You may also qualify for an extended work eligibility period of 36 months when you can still receive benefits if your earnings do not exceed $1,170. If your benefits end because you are earning too much, you have up to five years to reinstate your benefits without the need to file a new claim.

While you are in the trial work period, you can continue to receive Medicare Part A coverage, and you may be able to deduct the cost of work expenses related to your disability from your monthly earnings. What must you report to the SSA while you are working while receiving SSD benefits?

If you are working part time while you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you must report the following to the SSA:

• If you start or stop working;
• There is a change in your duties, hours or pay; or
• You must pay expenses for work due to your disability.

You can notify the SSA about these changes by phone, mail or in person. You will find all of the details on the Social Security website.

The Social Security Administration encourages the disabled to work if they can while receiving benefits, and they have programs to support you in pursuing that employment. You must be diligent about reporting changes in your employment to the SSA to keep your disability benefits. Getting out and working is not only good for your wallet, but it can be a boost to your state of health.

If you need to apply for SSDI benefits or if you need to appeal a denied application, an experienced Maryland Social Security Disability attorney can help. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we represent Maryland residents who need to apply for or have been denied disability benefits. You may call 410-730-7737 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation now.