Continuing disability benefits while working | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

Continuing disability benefits while working | USAGov? ›

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may be able to work while keeping your benefits. But the benefit amount you receive may be reduced depending on how much money you earn from your job.

After your 9-month work trial, there's a 36-month period called an “extended period of eligibility” (EPE) where you can work and still get Disability. The EPE earnings limit in 2024 is $1,550 per month, or $2,590 if you get Disability due to blindness.

Each month, we reduce your SSI benefits 50 cents for every dollar that you earn over $85. Example: You work and earn $1,000 in a month; and your only income comes from your earnings and your SSI. We would reduce your SSI payment by $457.50.

Social Security typically allows up to 45 hours of work per month if you're self-employed and on SSDI. That comes out to around 10 hours per week. The SSA will also see whether or not you're the only person working for your business.

While CDRs are a hurdle for disability recipients to cross, it is generally much easier to pass a CDR than it is to be granted Social Security disability benefits in the first place. Recent studies by the SSA have found that Social Security disability benefits are continued after CDRs more than 95 percent of the time.

Receiving SSI and SSDI while working

But the benefit amount you receive may be reduced depending on how much money you earn from your job. As of 2024, you may stop receiving SSDI benefits if you earn over $1,550 a month.

Permanent disability (PD) is any lasting disability from your work injury or illness that affects your ability to earn a living. If your injury or illness results in PD you are entitled to PD benefits, even if you are able to go back to work.

When your disability check isn't enough to live on, you may have additional options at your disposal. For example, you may qualify for extra help in specific areas such as health care costs, food, and housing. Different federal, state, and local programs may be available.

What is the minimum monthly payment for Social Security disability? ›

For those with less work history and less consistent work history, the amount of approval for social security disability (SSDI) will be lower. For 2021, monthly payments can range all the way from $100 per month to $3,148 per month.

The so-called “five-year rule” for Social Security disability allows people who have already received disability benefits to skip a required waiting period in the re-application process after they've returned to work.

How Much You Will Receive. The amount of your monthly SSDI benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.

How Far Back Will SSDI Cover? Minus the five-month waiting period, you should receive back payments for any delays. The maximum SSDI will provide in back payments is 12 months. Your disability would have to start 12 months before you applied to receive the maximum in SSDI benefits.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The SGA amount for persons with disabilities other than blindness is $1,550 per month in 2024. For persons who are blind, the amount of earnings that indicate SGA is $2,590 per month in 2024.

Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries become full retirement age. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record at the same time.

If improvement is expected, your first review generally will be six to 18 months after the date you became disabled. If improvement is possible, but can't be predicted, we'll review your case about every three years.

Red flags on the form which alert SSA your condition is improving include: Checking the box that states that your doctor has cleared you to work. Checking the box that says your health is better now than when you were approved for benefits. Entering earnings that exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity level.

60 Days to Submit Appeal: You have 60 days (+5 for mailing) from the date on the notice to submit an appeal form. SSA will direct you to use one of these forms to file your appeal: a. Form 789 – Request for Reconsideration, Disability Cessation i.

SSA is required by law to perform a continuing disability review (CDR), depending on the nature of the impairment, every 3 to 7 years. But in reality, the frequency with which these reviews take place will vary from recipient to recipient,due to SSA's backlog.