Can i work part time on ssdi

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides monthly disability benefits to applications that are unable to work due to a disabling medical condition. These benefits can help pay for medical expenses and everyday living costs. You may be able to hold a part-time job while still receiving disability benefits, although the amount of wages you earn could affect your situation.

Substantial Gainful Activity

Any work that brings in a set certain amount of income per month is known as substantial gainful activity (SGA). The SSA uses this to determine whether or not you are actually disabled and eligible for benefits, because if you are able to work enough to earn a certain amount of money, you are able enough to work and make competitive income with your condition. For 2022, the income limit for SGA is:

• $1,350 per month if not blind
• $2,260 per month for blind applicants

Even if your income is over or under these substantial gainful activity amounts, the SSA may still want to evaluate your work ability. For instance, you may hold a volunteer job at a soup kitchen that requires fast-paced physical activity, which would let the SSA know that you can work at a restaurant, even if your low income suggests that you need benefits.

On the other hand, you could be making high wages over the income limit, but the job may cater to your disability, which would suggest to the SSA that you actually are qualified for assistance despite your high income. To qualify for disability, you must be completely unable to earn SGA.

SSDI Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are paid through income taxes and based on your employment history. They are meant for workers who become disabled before they are able to retire.

For SSDI benefits, the SGA income limit applies after you are approved for benefits and start receiving them. However, you do have a “trial work period” of nine months after you first start receiving your benefits, during which you can work more than the SGA limit allows.

SSI Income Limit

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are based financial need, not work history. For SSI benefits, there is a different income limit that is based on the federal benefit rate (FBR). The FBR represents both the SSI income limit and the maximum federal monthly SSI payment. For 2022, this amount is:

• $841 for individuals
• $1,261 for a married couple

Note that not all of your wages will be counted towards this limit, so you can theoretically make more than $841 per month. Make sure you know exactly what wages will count towards the income limit and what won’t, so that you don’t go over the limit and get your benefits decreased or denied.

If you participate in a federal program called Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS), then the SSA allows you to set aside funds to help you transition off of your disability benefit payments, and this money won’t count towards the income limit.

State Supplements

Except for eight states, most states provide additional money towards your SSI payments that go above the federal amount. Depending on the state, this supplement will raise your income limit and maximum monthly payment. Supplements range from $10 to $400 and can depend on your marital status, living arrangement, and other factors.

Additional Resources

• How to File for Disability without a Strong Work History

At Disability Advocates Group, our practice is dedicated to protecting the rights of disabled individuals throughout Southern California. If you are seeking disability benefits, you may be wondering whether you can receive benefits while working part-time. Depending on the circumstances, working part-time while on disability may affect your benefit status. The best way to protect your rights is to consult our experienced disability lawyers. 

What is a disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disability as having a qualifying medical condition that prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is work that provides a certain amount of income each month. For 2020, the SGA is $1,260 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,110 per month for blind individuals. 

Applying for Disability Benefits While Working Part-Time 

If you are working when you apply for disability benefits and you earn over the SGA limit, your application will likely be denied. In addition, earning lower than the SGA amount does not necessarily mean that you are eligible for benefits. Social Security will not only consider your monthly earnings but the type of work and the number of hours you work.

As an example, if you make less than $1,260 per month but work 30 hours per week, a disability examiner may determine that you are not disabled or that you are working part-time because you cannot find full-time work, not because of a medical condition.

On the other hand, earning a high wage does not necessarily mean that you are performing substantial gainful activity. If your employer provides special conditions that allow you to work, for example, the cost of any impairment-related expenses can be deducted from your earnings to determine your monthly amount.

Additionally, if you quit your job before you apply for disability benefits, you must be able to demonstrate that you left because your medical condition worsened, not because you wanted to meet the SGA requirement. Moreover, certain volunteer activities may indicate that you are able to perform some type of work, which may make you ineligible for disability benefits. 

Finally, if you can’t perform work on a full-time basis, but your regular was part-time, and Social Security determines that you can still perform this work, your claim may be denied. If you cannot perform this type of work, the SSA will also consider whether you can perform another type of full-time work. 

As you can see, working part-time while applying for disability benefits runs the risk of having your claim denied. For this reason, it is crucial to consult an experienced disability lawyer before submitting a benefits application.

Working Part-Time After You’re Receiving Disability Benefits

Although disability benefits are not available to those who earn more than the SGA amount, the SSA provides incentives that allow beneficiaries to return to work without jeopardizing their benefits. For example, SSDI beneficiaries are allowed a trial period of up to 9 months during which they can still receive their benefits while testing their ability to work. The trial months need not be consecutive and can be spread out over 5 years. During the trial period, the full benefit is paid regardless of earnings. 

Another incentive is known as the “Ticket to Work” program which is available to both SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. The program allows beneficiaries to engage in trial work with participating employers and continue collecting their disability benefits. The Ticket to Work program also waives the SGA earning limits. If a beneficiary finds a job through the program the benefits will end; benefits will resume if a beneficiary must stop working because the condition has worsened, however. 

Contact Los Angeles Disability Attorney

If you or a loved one needs help obtaining disability benefits, there may be opportunities to work part-time, however, the SGA income limits can be complicated and confusing. By working with Disability Advocates Group, you increase the likelihood of obtaining the benefits you deserve. Once you begin receiving disability benefits, we will provide you with ongoing counsel to make sure your rights are protected. Although obtaining and maintaining your eligibility for benefits is challenging, we will stand by you every step of the way. Please contact our office today to speak with our experienced disability lawyers.