SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


Does social security care if you are working when you are applying for disability?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
It's very typical for social security representatives and even employees of the social security adminstration to respond to this question by stating that, no, an individual who is filing for disability cannot be working when they apply. However, that answer is only partially correct at best. In literal terms, it is quite wrong.

Can you work and apply for disability? Yes, as long as your earnings are not in excess of the earnings limit, otherwise known as the substantial gainful activity amount, or SGA amount. As long as a person's earnings are less than this amount, they can file a claim for disability benefits under the social security disability or SSI disability program. In fact, an individual who has already been approved for SSD or SSI disability benefits can also work, as long as their gross monthly earnings are less than the SGA amount that is in effect for a given year.

What happens if you apply for disability at a social security office and you have earnings in excess of the SGA limit? Even if an application is technically taken, it will not be processed. That is, it will not be assigned to a disability examiner who would ordinarily request medical records and evaluate them.

What happens if you are receiving disability benefits and you have earnings in excess of the SGA limit? It may cause you to go through what are known as your trial work months and it may trigger a work review of your claim.














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Topics and Questions


  • If you get denied on a disability appeal can you get another appeal ?

  • The Social Security Disability Approval

  • Social Security Disability, SSI and Being Over the Age of Fifty, 50

  • What Can You Do TO Make Sure Your Social Security Disability Reconsideration Gets Approved?

  • Speeding up the Request for a Social Security Hearing - Documentation that is needed

  • Applying for disability benefits in Virginia

  • Who Do I Contact at Social Security To File For SSD or SSI Disability?

  • Still Waiting For My Social Security Disability Decision

  • When do you see a judge for a social security disability or SSI claim?

  • Do I Need a Lawyer for My Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • How Long Does Your Attorney Have To File Your Social Security Disability Appeal?

  • Will You Get Social Security Disability Benefits If You Cannot Work Your Old Job?

  • Social Security Disability and the Job that You Worked

  • Where are Social Security Disability and SSI hearings held?

  • How Far Back Can SSI Back Pay Be Paid?

  • Who Makes the Decision at the Social Security Disability, SSI Hearing Level?

  • What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • Are SSI Disability Claims Handled Differently Than Social Security Disability Claims?

  • How does the Social Security disability (and SSI) appeals process work?

  • What happens when you go to a Social Security disability hearing ?

  • Social Security Notice of Denial for a Disability Application or Appeal

  • Social Security Disability Hearing-How Do I Request One?

  • What Does It Mean If you Are Denied For Disability Because Of Other Work?

  • If I Get Denied Twice For Disability, What Do I Do?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Kentucky

  • When Social Security Disability Is Awarded Do You Get A Notice, And What Does It Say?

  • How Long Does A Social Security Disability Appeal Take?

  • How Long Does It Take To Get SSDI If You Have To Appeal?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials