This contribution and a follow-up in about a week were authored by Deanna Power.......
You can find the follow-up article at http://normdelisle.posthaven.com/how-to-work-part-time-while-on-ssdi-or-ssi
Working while on disability benefits can feel like a tricky feat to achieve. Because the approval process can be lengthy and stressful, some applicants may worry that attempting to work may jeopardize their benefits.
However, the SSA encourages both SSDI and SSI benefit recipients to try working if they feel able. In fact, both have work incentives in place specifically for those that wish to try working while still receiving their benefits. You might be able to start working part-time while still receiving monthly disability insurance.
SSDI, SGA, and Trial Work Periods
Many people with intellectual disabilities can receive SSDI if their parents are disabled or receiving Social Security retirement benefits. While SSDI is a great benefit for those enrolled, sometimes recipients feel as if they’d like to start working. While there are limitations to the nature of work that can be done, the SSA collaborates with any recipient looking to do so.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Recipients of SSDI are not allowed to make more than $1,170 per month in 2017 (or $1,920 for people who are blind) to still be qualified as “totally and permanently disabled”. This number (referred to as SGA) is the same amount that applicants must fall under in order to qualify for SSDI in the first place. Those who make more than the SGA without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) can have their benefits revoked. However, recipients can choose to enter a “trial work period” instead.
Trial Work Periods
Trial work periods are temporary work allowances that permit SSDI recipients to find work while still receiving benefits. This work period is nine months long and does not have to be used consecutively (i.e. 5 months attempted at one job, 4 months attempted at another job one year later). Any month where an SSDI recipient earns more than $840 is considered a trial work month. Regardless of earnings, SSDI workers still receive full benefits during these nine months. If the recipient decides to stop working after this time, they can still receive full benefits as they did prior to the trial work period. However, they can also opt to keep working for slightly different benefits if desired.
Extended Periods of Eligibility
Those who continue working after a trial work period enter into a 36-month “extended period of eligibility”. During this time, SSDI recipients can continue part-time work without permanently losing their benefits. Recipients continue to get SSDI benefits for every month where they earn under the SGA. During months where earnings surpass the SGA, recipients do not receive their SSDI payment.
If the recipient chooses to keep working after this 36 months, they will no longer receive SSDI. However, if the disability returns and again prevents the worker from continuing as normal, the SSA gives former recipients a 5-year grace period during which benefits can be started again. This is called “expedited reinstatement”.
SSI, Income Evaluation, and Work Incentive Programs
SSI functions slightly differently than SSDI, as it benefits people who may never have held jobs previously. Not only are recipients encouraged to return to work while on SSI, but the government has multiple programs in place to help recipients acclimate and train for new jobs as well.
SSI Income Limit
Just as with the initial application process, the income
limit for SSI recipients is $735 for individual applicants and $1,103 for
couples. When income is evaluated to see if it qualifies, the SSA will only
count half of a recipient’s earned income after the first $85, giving
recipients incentive to return to work if possible. For example: for a man who
makes $1000 in a month, the SSA subtracts $85, then divides the remainder
($915) in two. The SSA counts his income as $457.50 (instead of $1000) and
subtracts this from his monthly SSI benefits check. There are also exclusions
for certain other forms of income, such as SNAP benefits (food stamps) or
student loans.
Aside from providing benefits while recipients work, the SSA also provides
multiple options to recipients who need help returning to (or starting) a
career.
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
PASS plans are free and available to all SSI recipients. They allow people to set aside funds to purchase services, classes, or equipment necessary for recipients to learn a trade, go to school, or return to work. These funds are not counted as assets when the SSA figures out your monthly SSI checks, so recipients have a way to save without their benefits lessening.
Ticket to Work Program
The Ticket to Work program is also available to everyone getting SSI. Recipients are helped into vocational schools or employment training services provided by their state to learn trades that may help them find work. Because the process is more lengthy and in-depth, it is intended for SSI recipients that are looking to work full-time and develop a career.
Keeping in Contact With the SSA
Regardless of program or method, any recipients of disability benefits must stay in constant contact with the SSA to report income and changes in medical status, if necessary. Every month, the SSA must see any pay stubs or changes in employment status to ensure that your earnings still qualify you for your benefits program. If the SSA discovers unreported earnings, it is possible to lose benefits altogether, so it is very important to keep them up-to-date when looking to return to work.