ESPANOL
Yes, you can work part-time on Social Security Disability as long as your income does not exceed the allowable income limits set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA’s income limits let you earn up to $1,260 per month – or $2,110 per month, if you are blind – and still receive your full disability benefits.
The SSA also deducts the amount of job-related expenses you have. These deductions might allow you to earn significantly more than the stated income limits without putting your Social Security Disability benefits at risk.
Carefully and thoroughly review your income and your job-related expenses with a disability benefits lawyer. Your lawyer may also help you learn more about the SSA’s Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) program and how it can affect your earning potential and disability benefits.
How Working Part-Time Affects Your Monthly Benefits
You can receive disability benefits and work part-time as long, but you should first understand how your earnings will affect your disability benefits. Disability benefit recipients who work must keep their earnings inside the SSA’s Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) parameters.
When you feel able to return to work, SGA guidelines allow you to gradually test your ability to maintain gainful employment on a part-time basis without putting your disability benefits in jeopardy. SGA offers you a trial work period of up to three years. During that time, you can earn as much as $1,260 per month and still maintain your benefits. The allowable amount of earnings is higher if you are blind. Some work expenses may also be deductible, such as:
- Prescription costs and copays
- Counseling services
- Transportation to and from work
- Personal or job coaching assistance
- Assistive medical devices
Your lawyer can help you understand which work-related deductions qualify and how those deductions may extend your earnings ability. Your lawyer may also help you accurately calculate your earnings and allowable deductions to ensure the part-time work you do does not affect your disability benefits eligibility.
Preserve Your Disability Benefits By Reporting the Following Information
While the SSA does encourage you to return to work, they also require you to supply them with certain information. You must inform the SSA when:
- You start working
- You stop working
- Your work hours change
- Your employment pay rate changes
- You pay work-related costs due to your disability
You should also inform the SSA if you lose your job and are still within your trial work period. If that happens, your disability benefits might not be affected at all. If you lose your job during the extended period of eligibility, your benefits can be reinstated if you are still disabled.
When our team represents you, we can help you apply for benefits, file an appeal if your initial application was denied, or understand your right and ability to work without losing your disability benefits.
Your Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer Can Act as Your Advocate
The Social Security Disability system can be complex, intimidating, and difficult to navigate. On your own, you might become overwhelmed with the application process and the amount of information you are required to obtain and submit. A Social Security Disability benefits lawyer in Georgia or South Carolina may be able to help you with your case.
If you choose to have our team represent you, we can:
- Help you build a strong case for the benefits you qualify for
- Help you navigate the benefits application process
- Ensure you meet SSD requirements
- Help you file an effective appeal if your application was denied
Our legal team wants to help you pursue the disability benefits you need. If you would like to apply for benefits or file an appeal, our team wants to be on your side. With our help, you can focus on getting better by leaving the hard work to us.
Let Our Law Firm Help You Claim Your SSD Benefits
If you enjoy the part-time work you do or need additional income to supplement your disability benefits, you can work part-time while on Social Security Disability. You can also work part-time while you gradually transition back to full-time employment without risking your disability benefits.
Our client care team can help you define your income limits and manage your case so that you do not lose your benefits. Contact the client care team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers to learn more about what we can do for you.