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


Can I work without it affecting my social security disability or SSI?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
If you have been approved to receive disability benefits under the social security disability or SSI disability program, you need to be very careful about any work activity you may engage in. Work activity can potentially trigger a review of your case. This is even more so for claimants who have been approved for disability on the basis of a mental impairment.

Having said that, the social security administration does have provisions for work activity even for individuals who have been found to meet the SSA definition of disability. In this article, we'll define certain key concepts that apply to work activity and social security.

1. Unsuccessful work attempt - Many individuals attempt to go back into the workforce at some point after being awarded disability benefits. In some cases, this is because the person has found it necessary to supplement their disability benefits in order to meet their living expenses. In other cases, it is because the person has a genuine desire to return to work or re-enter their profession for the purpose of advancement. Due to their condition, or various conditions, of course, many individuals who attempt to work find that they cannot sustain their work activity. As a recognition of this reality, social security considers a UWA, or unsuccessful work attempt, as an attempt at working that does not last 90 days or longer. In other words, if you receive disability and re-enter the workforce, but do not make it past 90 days on the job, the attempt will not count against you.

2. SGA - SGA stands for substantial gainful activity. SGA is a gross monthly earnings amount. If a claimant works and their earnings do not match or exceed this amount, then it will not affect their case. If, however, they work and earn at least this amount, it may negatively affect their case depending on whether or not they have exhausted their trial work months. To see the current SGA limit: Substantial gainful activity limit.

3. Trial Work Months - Individuals who are approved to receive disability benefits are given the opportunity to try working again without automatically sacrificing their disability benefits. As previously mentioned, attempts to work that do not last 90 days may be classified as unsuccessful. However, social security also allows claimant a total of nine trial work months in which their earnings may match or exceed the limits for SGA work activity. If an individual works and earns at least the SGA earnings limit for nine months within a 36 month rolling period (in other words, these nine months do not have to be consecutive), then in the 10th month of earning at least the SGA income limit, their disability benefits will be stopped.

4. Overpayments - Overpayments generally occur as a result of work activity, often work activity that is not reported. Overpayments can result in benefits being stopped and huge debts to the social security administration. In certain cases, overpayments can be waived if the social security office finds that the individual is not at fault. If you are assessed with an overpayment, you may wish to request a continuation of benefits while you appeal the assessment. However, if you are found to owe the original overpayment you will also owe any additional money that you received while you tried to fight the overpayment assessment. Overpayment situations can usually be avoided by reporting work activity as soon as possible.














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Topics and Questions


  • Social Security Disability Appeal Deadlines Are Always 60 Days

  • SSDI Decision, SSI Decison - How long does it take?

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Denials

  • Can you get Social Security Disability or SSI for a Temporary Disability?

  • What happens if a reconsideration for Social Security Disability or SSI is denied?/a>

  • Will I be approved for disability on my appeal?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Massachusetts

  • If You Are Represented For Social Security Disability or SSI, When Do You Pay The Fee?

  • The Qualifications for Disability Benefits and the Types of Evidence Social Security Looks at

  • Reconsideration of a disability denial-what does it involve?

  • Do people need Lawyers for Disability Claims?

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

  • What is the Purpose of the Social Security Disability SSI Medical Exam, or CE?

  • What are the Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI?

  • Medical Requirements for both Social Security Disability and SSI

  • Are SSI and Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

  • How is Social Security Disability Awarded?

  • How Much Do You Get For Disability If You Are Awarded Benefits?

  • What are the Application Requirements For SSI Disability?

  • How to Apply for Disability - Where do I go to apply for disability ?

  • What is the Process to be Approved for SSD or SSI Disability Benefits?

  • Responsibilities of the Disability Representative Before and After the Social Security Hearing

  • Filing for Social Security Disability — A few steps to take

  • What kind of cases win disability benefits ?

  • When should you File for Disability benefits with the social security administration?

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

  • Does the Social Security Administration use experts for determining disability?

  • Filing for SSD Disability - When Should You put in a Claim?

  • Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

  • Filing for SSD Disability - When Should You put in a Claim?

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Denials

  • Can you get Social Security Disability or SSI for a Temporary Disability?

  • Filing for Disability - Can you speed up the Social Security Disability process?

  • Disability Criteria - Eligibility For Social Security and SSI Disability

  • Applying for Disability - How long does it take to get Social Security benefits?

  • Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability

  • Mental Disability Benefits - What Social Security will Consider

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in South Carolina

  • Social security disability SSDI Benefits and your ability to work

  • What physicians and claimants should know about social security disability
























    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