Skip to main content

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.  

 

 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE

What are the top 3 most important factors in a Social Security disability case? 1.  Medical Evidence. 2.  Medical Evidence 3.  Medical Evidence 4-10     Medical Evidence Federal regulations set the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.  A claimant must meet these strict legal requirements More than anything else, the claimant's medical evidence will determine the outcome of the claim or appeal.  Without strong objective medical evidence Social Security cannot legally pay you a benefit. Objective Medical Evidence means the result of medical examinations, laboratory tests or imaging studies (X-rays, PT scans, MRI or CT scans). This type of evidence can only be obtained by going to your doctor. There's an old adage that says truthfully:  "The path to Social Security disability benefits runs straight through your doctor's office."  Being approved for an SSDI benefit requires objective medical proof. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SOCIAL SECRITY DISABILITY: THE DECISION WRITING PROCESS

  By Charles W. Forsythe - The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has made a decision on your Social Security disability appeal hearing. The decision must now be sent to to a process called "Decision Writing" - where an attorney or paralegal will draft the formal binding decision, explaining the judge's legal rationale for the decision and explaining the mandatory 5-Step decision making process. The decision writing process translates a judge's ruling into a formal, legally binding document. It is a vital but time-consuming phase that ensures all medical evidence and vocational factors align with the law. A typical written decision will be 10 to 20 pages, thus very detailed.  It takes time to write one. There are many decisions ahead of yours and usually they are written in the order received. The step-by-step process breaks down as follows: The Judge’s Ruling & Instructions:  Following your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) r...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNDERSTANDING THE 5-STEP SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROCESS

Receiving Social Security disability payments depend on one thing:  Proving that you are not able to work. The one and only thing that SSDI pays for is the physical and/or mental inability to work for a period of at least 12 months.  Who decides if you are able to work?  The Social Security Administration (SSA) will decide.--according to their own strict rules and regulations. In reaching that important decision, are you disabled or not, Social Security must use a 5-step examination process.  It's important to understand these 5 sequential steps. STEP 1:  The work Test .  Is the claimant now engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?  If yes, the claim is denied at Step 1.  They look no further.  You cannot be eligible for SSDI benefits if you are working at SGA, regardles of your medical condition.  (In 2026 you are working at SGA if you earn at least $1,690 per month from work or self-employment). STEP 2.  The Medical Requirem...
Post a Comment
Read more