If you’re disabled and either receiving or considering applying for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration, chances are, you have plenty of questions – and that’s understandable. One question many ask is, “Can I still receive an income of any kind while receiving disability benefits from Social Security?” It’s a reasonable question to ask. After all, many people still want to earn some sort of income if they’re able. As a general rule of thumb, the amount that you can earn while on disability will vary depending upon whether or not you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI benefits) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits:
Social Security Disability Insurance Beneits:
Typically, those who are receiving SSDI benefits cannot do what is considered “substantial gainful activity”(or SGA, for short) and continue to receive disability. Essentially, making more than $1,350 per month (or $2,260 if you’re blind) in 2022 would be considered SGA. Anyone making more than those amounts would typically experience a decrease in their SSDI benefits.
There is an exception to this rule, however. SSDI recipients are usually allowed to attempt a “trial work period,” which is usually a period of around nine months or so. During that time, they can make more than the SGA amount and continue to receive benefits.
In 2022, for example, the Social Security Administration will consider any month in which a person earns a monthly income of more than about $970 to be a trial work month. For the self-employed, any month in which more than 80 hours are worked will be considered a trial work month as well. After completing the nine-month trial work period, those who have months that fall below the SGA level can still receive SSDI benefits for those months, for a period of up to 36 months, also known as the “extended period of eligibility.” It’s also important to keep in mind that if your benefits cease as a result of SGA, they can be reinstated again if you stop working because of your disability within a five-year period often called the “expedited reinstatement period.”
Supplemental Security Income Benefits:
For those receiving SSI benefits, the SGA limit mentioned above does not apply. Those receiving SSI may work and earn income while also receiving benefits, as long as the wages and other resources earned don’t exceed the limits set by the Social Security Administration’s income limit. In 2022, that limit is expected to be around $841. Any benefits received will be reduced by the amount of “countable income”. Typically, to determine countable income, the SSA will not include the first $85 you earn, and after that, will typically deduct $.50 from monthly benefits for each dollar you earn. Generally, you can earn up to around $1675 each month if you have no other income before your benefits would be reduced to zero. As with SSDI benefits, if you have to stop working because of your disability, your SSI benefits can be reinstated without the need for a new application for a period of up to 5 years.
Here for You
If you are struggling with a disability and you need benefits, you deserve a talented and experienced legal team on your side – one that will fight for you every step of the way. At The Law Firm, we are that team. Our dedicated team of attorneys knows and understands the law, and the best legal strategies to pursue on your behalf. Wherever you are in the process of applying for or receiving benefits, we’re here for you, and we’re ready to help. There’s no day like today to get started.
Francis Babet loves pursuing excellence through writing and has a passion for Legal. He currently writes for The law Firm, a USA Based Law Firm that provides SSD, SSI, SSDI, Personal Injury, and Drugs and Devices. His work has been published on various sites related to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income and more.
