Navigating Social Security disability insurance can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding your options for returning to work. Many people receiving disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits wonder whether they can re-enter the workforce without jeopardizing their benefits.
The good news is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers options for those looking to return to work while still receiving disability benefits.
Understanding the Trial Work Period
The SSA offers a trial work period that allows you to work for at least nine months without losing your disability benefits. During this period, you can earn any amount without it affecting your SSDI benefits. The trial work period is designed to encourage you to attempt re-entering the workforce without the immediate risk of losing your benefits.
For 2024, any month in which you earn over $1,050 (gross income) will count as a month of a trial work period. The nine months of trial work period do not need to be consecutive, but they must be completed within a rolling five-year period.
The Extended Period Of Eligibility
After completing the trial work period, you enter what is called an extended period of eligibility, which lasts for 36 months. During this time, you can continue to receive disability benefits for any month in which your earnings are below the substantial gainful activity level. In 2024, this level is $1,470 for non-blind individuals and $2,460 for blind individuals.
If your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity level, your disability benefits may be suspended, but you can still get them reinstated without reapplying if your earnings drop below the level within the extended period of eligibility.
Expedited Reinstatement
If your Social Security disability benefits stop because you have earned more than the substantial gainful activity level after the extended period of eligibility, but your disability prevents you from continuing to work, you can apply for expedited reinstatement.
With expedited reinstatement, you do not need to reapply for Social Security disability benefits from scratch. Instead, you can get your benefits reinstated for up to six months while the SSA reviews your claim. This safety net is crucial if you have an unpredictable health condition.
How Returning To Work Affects Ssi
The rules are different if you are on SSI. SSI is a needs-based program, so any income you earn while working will affect your benefits.
However, the SSA only counts part of your earned income when calculating your SSI payment, allowing you to work and still receive some benefits. Additionally, SSI recipients are also eligible for work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) and the Ticket to Work program.
PASS allows you to set aside income and resources for a specific period to achieve a work goal, such as starting a business, pursuing education, or getting specialized job training. By using PASS, you can reduce your countable income, which may allow you to continue receiving SSI benefits while you work toward your employment goals.
The Ticket to Work program offers free employment services to help disability benefits and SSI recipients re-enter the workforce, including job training, career counseling, and job placement assistance. Participation in the Ticket to Work program also provides protection from medical reviews while you make progress toward your employment goals, giving you the confidence to explore work opportunities without immediately risking your benefits.
What To Consider Before Returning To Work
Before deciding to return to work, it’s essential to assess your physical and mental ability to handle employment. It’s also wise to consider how your earnings will impact your disability or SSI benefits and to be aware of the available work incentives and safety nets that the SSA provides.
If you have questions about returning to work, consulting a lawyer at Hunter & Everage with expertise in Social Security disability can help you choose the right path. Reach out to our experienced Social Security disability attorneys in Richmond, Virginia, today.