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CAN YOU WORK WHILE GETTING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CHECKS?

Can you work while receiving Social Security disability payments?

Two important facts:

1. Any  work can draw unwanted attention from the Social Security Administration and may put your disability benefits under review. 

 2.  According to the written regulations, you are allowed to work as long as your wages or earnings fall below $1,550 (gross) per month.  That's the amount for 2024.  (In 2023, the amount was $1,470 per month).  Earn more than that and you are no longer disabled under Social Security rules.  And it doesn't matter why  you work.

The basic premise of the Social Security Administration is that benefits are only available for individuals who cannot work.  If you can't work you are disabled.  If you can work you are not disabled.

Working proves that you are not disabled like nothing else.

I counsel my clients:  If you can possibly keep working then that is probably the right path.  If you have reached a point that it's impossible for you to keep working then disability may be the right solution.

Social Security disability is not intended to supplement your work or your income.  It is intended to  replace the income you lost when you became unable to work.

So the idea of continuing to work while receiving an SSDI benefit, while possible, is really antithetical to the philosophy behind Social Security.

In Social Security's mindset there is no such thing as "I am working but I'm not "able" to work.  If you're working, you're able to work.  And Social Security will not entertain the idea of working until you can get your benefits started.  

 

 

 

 

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