Social Security Disability Work Incentives:
Once you have been approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you may find yourself wondering if it is possible to work from home or return to work at least part time without losing your benefits. The Social Security Administration understands that while DIB benefits are a safety net, most disabled people would rather be able to go back to work and earn a full salary. As such, the regulations provide for a trial work period. Provided you notify SSA you are able to work for up to 9 months while still receiving DIB benefits. If this trial period ultimately fails because of your disabling condition, or the jobs elimination of accommodating factors it should not affect your eligibility for benefits generally.
The Social Security Administration recently implemented a number of incentives that allow those who receive benefits to work while continuing to receive benefits. The incentives that you can take advantage of will depend on whether you are approved for SSDI or SSI benefits. For those who are approved for SSDI, the work incentives are:
- Trial Work Period – A trial work period of up to nine months, where you will continue to receive your full benefits no matter how much income you receive.
- Extended Eligibility – An extended eligibility period following the initial nine month trial period where you may continue to receive benefits for any month your income is not considered “substantial” (over $1,040 in most cases).
- Expedited Reinstatement – If your benefits are stopped due to substantial earnings, you have a five year period in which you may request immediate reinstatement of your benefits if your condition worsens and you find yourself unable to work.
- Continuation of Medicare – If your SSDI benefits stop due to substantial earnings but you remain disabled, your Medicare coverage will continue for at least 93 months after the trial period.
If you have questions about this, or other parts of your disability case, or have been denied, contact an experienced attorney, call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
