If you are disabled and you receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, those benefits are probably an essential source of financial support and stability when you’re unable to work and receive income as you otherwise normally would.
Depending on the severity of your disability, you may never be able to work again. Understandably, this can be stressful in a variety of ways, including financially. In other situations, however, as you learn to live with your condition, you may feel that you can return to work in some manner on a part-time basis or otherwise earn income in some way.
The desire to earn additional income is understandable. Often, however, those receiving Social Security disability benefits wonder if earning part-time income will affect their eligibility to continue receiving those benefits. That’s an understandable question to ask. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.
Knowing Your Limits
First and foremost, it’s important to know that it is possible to work part-time and earn some income while still receiving Social Security disability. However, it is essential to understand that although you can earn some income while receiving disability benefits, there are limits on the amount. This limit is known as the “substantial gainful activity” or SGA limit. This limit may be adjusted each year to reflect changes in the cost of living. In 2024, the SGA is $1550 for a disabled individual who is not blind and $2590 for a person with blindness.
Those who are disabled and earn income in excess of those limits generally can no longer collect disability benefits at the same time. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule and specific incentives offered to those attempting to return to work. Typically, these incentives allow for benefits to continue for some period of time to ensure financial stability throughout the process of returning to work.
What Return-to-Work Incentives Are Offered?
There are a number of incentives offered by the Social Security Administration to those who are attempting to return to work. Some of these incentives will be dependent upon which type of benefit an individual receives, whether Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Some Of The Incentives Offered By The SSA Include:
- Trial Work Period (TWP): The Trial Work Period (TWP) is a program provided by the SSA that allows beneficiaries to work for up to nine months out of a sixty-month period. During the TWP, a beneficiary can earn an unlimited amount while continuing to receive their SSDI benefits.
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): The Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) is another provision offered for those who receive SSDI benefits. Like the TWP, it is intended to help beneficiaries try to transition back to work while still receiving benefits. During the EPE, recipients can continue to receive SSDI benefits in any month during which their earnings are below the SGA limit.
- Ticket to Work Program: The Ticket to Work program is intended to help both SSDI and SSI beneficiaries return to work. Participation in the program is voluntary, and beneficiaries can choose whether or not to utilize their “ticket” to access the benefits and support offered through the program.
- Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) is an incentive to help disabled SSI recipients pursue their vocational and financial goals. This program offers beneficiaries the opportunity to set aside income and resources for a particular work goal, knowing that those funds will not be counted as income or resources for purposes of determining SSI payments and eligibility.
In addition to these incentives, the Social Security Administration may offer other incentives like deducting expenses associated with a disability while working and various other benefits. While these incentives are not intended to continue indefinitely, they can be tremendously helpful during an individual’s initial attempt to return to work.
Understandably, the law pertaining to returning to work and various other disability-related issues can seem complicated. The good news, though, is that you don’t need to allow these issues to overwhelm you. Instead, you can call the knowledgeable and experienced legal team at Disability Experts Florida. We’re here for you, and we’re ready to help.
Disability Experts Florida– Here for You
At Disability Experts Florida, we know that you want to do all you can to pursue the disability benefits you need and deserve and to protect your right to those benefits once you have them. That’s why we’re here to help. Our knowledgeable and experienced legal team understands every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf. You deserve nothing less. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.