According to Social Security, the maximum monthly SSI payment for 2024 is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. The amount will be lower based on the beneficiary’s income, certain family members income, living citation and other factors. In connection to this, a lot of people are wondering if Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients can be employed.
So, can you work while on disability in North Carolina or other states? The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs specific programs that allow beneficiaries to work and earn income without worrying about losing their benefits. Keep in mind that this setup involves certain restrictions and guidelines.
Read this article to learn the guidelines for working while receiving SSDI benefits.
Eligibility for Working With SSD Benefits
Working while receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits is possible, but certain requirements must be met to maintain benefits. Listed below are the requirements:
- Trial Work Period (TWP): SSDI beneficiaries can work for nine months over 60 months without losing benefits, regardless of earnings, if they report the work. Earnings over $1,110 per month qualify for the TWP in 2024.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): SGA is the maximum monthly salary that a SSI recipient can earn. In 2024, the SGA threshold is $1,550 for most and $2,590 for blind people.
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After the TWP, you enter the 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), where you can work and receive benefits if your earnings stay below the SGA limit. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may be suspended if monthly earnings exceed the SGA. Benefits can be reinstated in months where earnings fall below the SGA limit, giving you some flexibility while testing your work ability.
- Work Incentives and Health Coverage: The Extended Period of Medicare Coverage allows beneficiaries to keep Medicare for up to 93 months after TWP completion.
- SSI and Earned Income Exclusions: Earned income gradually lowers SSI benefits but does not immediately end them for people who receive them. For SSI benefit reductions, the SSA excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of any amount over the $65.
- Ticket to Work Program: This voluntary program connects job seekers with career counseling and training to help them return to work with less risk to their benefits.
These programs encourage beneficiaries to work toward financial independence while protecting their benefits if they fail.
Reporting Work Activity to SSA
To comply with regulations, report employment activity changes to the SSA immediately when receiving SSDI benefits. New jobs, greater hours, and more responsibility must be reported to the SSA. Remember that the SSA checks for disability periodically. Delayed reporting can lead to overpayments which can affect your SSDI benefits.
According to a Sacramento disability attorney, if your job changes, you can tell the SSA online, over the phone, or in person by making an appointment. You can protect your benefits by staying proactive and informing the SSA of work-related changes.
Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility
You can test your work ability while receiving Social Security Disability benefits during the trial work period and extended period of eligibility.
You must notify the Social Security Administration of your work activity during these periods to continue receiving benefit payments.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits
SGA limits are financial thresholds set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine substantial work activity.
If your earnings exceed these limits, it may affect your disability benefits because the SSA may regard your work as substantial gainful activity. Avoid going over the limit if you want to keep your benefits intact.
Impact of Work on Disability Review
Your disability status may be reviewed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you are employed and earn more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. The outcome of the Social Security Administration’s review could result in the termination of your disability benefits.
Conclusion
You can work while receiving Social Security Disability benefits if you follow SSA rules. Maintaining benefits requires constant and accurate reporting of your work activity so always keep that in mind.
