SSDRC




Resource Questions:

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


Social Security Disability - What is considered earned income versus unearned income according to the SSA?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
I’m a 41 year old veteran, I receive Social Security Disability, and since I have major troubles working for others at several different jobs outside the home. I wanted to spend a 2-3 hours per week "daytrading/short-term trading" stocks in my brokerage account where I could have some capital gains/investment gains to assist paying the utility bills. Say my net gains per year could be $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000+ trading stocks for myself from home. Could these trading gains (profit-minus expenses) count as "earned income" or are the gains "unearned income"?

I read online that capital gains and investments are not considered as earned income for those who receive social security disability. “Social Security excludes government benefits and investments as earned income. Interest, capital gains, pensions and annuities do not count as earned income.

One tax attorney told me: "Here is the general rule, passive income is not counted as earned income. Investment income is generally considered as passive". I think it most likely that day trading for yourself, and yourself only, would not be counted as earned" income for social security disability insurance benefits purposes. I can call and pay you a $35 consult fee on my debit card if you can email me the answers to my questions.




There's no charge, of course.

The answer to your question is simple. Unearned income through stock investment does not count as earned income against your Social Security disability. If you are receiving SSI or Supplemental Security Income disability, your unearned income may affect your eligibility to the program because it is based on need rather than insured status like Social Security disability.

If you are receiving Social Security disability only, your monthly benefits will not be affected by your capital gains from stock investments.















Return to:  SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page












Individual Questions and Answers


  • Will my claim for SSD or SSI Disability Benefits be denied?

  • How Likely are You to Win Your Disability Case?

  • Social Security Disability and Going In Front Of A Judge - What Happens?

  • Avoiding Mistakes to get your Disability Claim Approved

  • How do you get meds in the two wait for Medicare after an Approval for Disability?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Missouri

  • How Do I Apply For Disability- What Is The First Step?

  • Disability and Medicare- how does it work

  • Disability Lawyer Success Rate - Do Lawyers Improve The Chances of Winning?

  • Filing for Disability Online or over the phone

  • Do I Have A Good Chance Of Winning Social Security Disability On Appeal?

  • How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled Or Not?

  • Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Filing for Disability

  • Application Requirements For Disability - What Do I Need To Start The Claim?

  • What kind of Final Decision can I receive on my Disability Application?

  • Filing for Social Security disability- what to bring when you apply

  • Social Security Disability Application Online

  • Social Security Disability Denied — The Reasons Why

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Arkansas

  • What Is the Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process Social Security Uses In Every Disability Case?

  • Disability and Medicare- how does it work

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

  • Social Security appeal- Is it better to appeal if your disability is denied?

  • What are the Chances of Being Approved for a Child who is Filing for Disability?

  • How Important is the Treating Physician to a Social Security Disability or SSI case?

  • Is A Three Year Old With Disabilities Eligible For SSD Or Only SSI?

  • The Medical Records That Are Best For A Social Security Disability Claim

  • How to File for SSI

  • Can I get SSI for RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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

  • Why does Representation increase the win ratio at a Social Security Disability or SSI Hearing?

  • Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders
























    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