Understanding Work Limitations While On Social Security Disability
Many people who are receiving Supplemental Security Income(SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance(SSDI) wonder what the restrictions are for extra earnings. It’s a case by case issue but, here are some basics.
Anytime you make a salary; it has the potential of affecting the benefits you receive. SSDI has a trial work period up to nine months to make sure you’re able to work. During that time, there is no limit on your earnings. After that, you typically would not be able to earn more than $1,130 in a month before it starts to affect your benefits. It will be a $1,820 limit if you are blind. Please review this pamphlet for more information on SSDI and working.
SSI is subject to most of the same restrictions as SSDI. If you are receiving SSI, you would also be affected by any extra income you earn. Anything more than $1,130 would start to deduct from your benefits; $1,820 if you’re blind. You need to report your wages to Social Security at the end of every month. Reach out to Social Security to get more information on reporting wages. You would also be entitled to a trial work period.
Social Security has a variety of work incentives that helps recipients work and still receive Medicaid, Medicare, and cash benefits. An example of work incentives is Impairment Related Work Expenses or IRWE. Social Security would evaluate your job performance. If it is adequate, then they would remove the cost of impairment expenses from your earnings, such as wheelchairs or special transportation needs. Please visit Social Security Work Incentives page for more detailed information on the variety of incentives available. A program that is at your disposal is called Ticket to Work. It will prepare you for work, place you in a job and help you maintain that job. Anyone who is 18 to 64 who is on SSI or SSDI is eligible for this program. It’s free and on a voluntary basis.
Ticket to Work allows the beneficiary to choose an authorized service provider. Providers available are Employment Networks(EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) who administer job training, placement, career counseling, and vocational rehabilitation. The goal of this program is to assist recipients in becoming financially independent or less dependent on Social Security. With this program, you would still receive your cash benefits for sometime while you work and you would still receive your medical benefits. Visit Ticket to Work for more information.
