Returning to work after receiving SSDI benefits is encouraged, but doing so can sometimes be challenging. In such cases, seeking the guidance of a skilled Daytona Social Security benefits lawyer can prove invaluable, offering a wealth of knowledge and tailored advice to navigate this intricate process effectively.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a government program designed to provide financial assistance to those unable to work due to a disability. This program is a financial safety net, ensuring that those facing physical or mental impairments receive the financial support they need to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
A common question surrounding these benefits is whether individuals can return to work while receiving financial assistance. While the simple answer is yes, specific requirements and restrictions are associated with continued work while receiving SSDI benefits. As your Daytona Social Security benefits lawyer, we aim to provide more information about this topic and provide insights into the rules and regulations governing work and SSDI benefits.
SSDI Work Incentives
SSDI work incentives are a set of special rules that allow people receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. There are three work incentives that are most often asked about: The trial work period (TWP), the extended period of eligibility (EPE), and substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Trial Work Period
The trial work period is a component of SSDI that allows individuals to test their work capacity for up to nine months without affecting their disability benefits. During this period, recipients receive their total benefit amount regardless of their earnings, provided they report their work activity and still have a disabling impairment. These nine months do not have to be consecutive, and the trial work period lasts until an individual accumulates nine months of work within a rolling 60-month period.
Substantial Gainful Activity
“Substantial gainful activity” (SGA) is a term used to define a level of work activity and earnings for individuals seeking disability benefits. Work is considered “substantial” when it involves significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both. “Gainful” work activity encompasses work done for pay or profit, work typically performed for compensation, and work intended for profit, regardless of whether a profit is realized. SGA is crucial in determining eligibility for disability benefits, and the income threshold changes yearly. The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2023 is $2460. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2023 is $1470. So, earning more than this amount per month doing substantial work can affect your eligibility for disability benefits. For more information on SGA restrictions, be sure to contact a Daytona Social Security benefits lawyer to have an expert’s insight.
The Extended Period of Eligibility
The extended period of eligibility (EPE) is a safety net that allows you to continue receiving SSDI benefits even if you are working after completing your trial work period. Whether you are employed or not, this period of eligibility spans three years (36 months), starting right after your Trial Work Period ends. During this time, you are required to monitor your wage hours and report them to the Social Security Administration. If your gross earnings consistently exceed the SGA threshold for that year – the SSA will pay your SSDI benefit for that month and the next two, which is known as the grace period. But for the remaining 36 months, you will receive your SSDI benefits as long as your gross earnings stay below SGA.
Choose Culbertson, Jacobs & LaBoda As Your Daytona Social Security Benefits Lawyer
Navigating the return to work process while receiving SSDI benefits involves several crucial steps, including understanding work incentives and accurately reporting earnings to the SSA. We realize that this process and the related restrictions and regulations are challenging to understand, so we are here to help you navigate this process.
It is important to remember that reentering the workforce is possible and encouraged while on Social Security Disability, so we are dedicated to ensuring you are equipped with the necessary information to make an informed decision while receiving the benefits you deserve. Contact us today to learn more and get started. We look forward to working with you as your Daytona Social Security benefits lawyer.