Disabilities include physical limitations, mental health challenges, chronic fatigue, or chronic pain – these and the hundreds of other conditions that qualify as a disability prevent people from successfully working full time. Still, everyone needs an income to survive, and plenty of people attempt to work as much as they can while also applying for disability benefits. Turns out, you might be working too much.
Do You Really Need Disability Benefits?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants are permitted to work a limited number of hours each week to stay below a certain income threshold. However, if you apply for disability benefits, completing any work at all will raise questions, even if you’re working only part-time. The question will be: If you can work 20 hours a week, why not 35 or 40? Plus, commute time if you’re working on-site and not virtually.
Is Working Better Than Getting Disability Benefits?
While someone may be able to manage well enough to pull off a full-time job even though they have a disability, that doesn’t mean the effort is easy. If you can work and do so without discomfort or struggle, the recommendation is often to go ahead and work. You will likely earn a better wage than if you win disability benefits.
How Does the Social Security Administration Define Work?
It is in your best interest to consult an SSDI lawyer to learn the parameters of how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines work and how it applies to you and your health limitations where disability is concerned. If you are earning more than a designated monthly amount after medical costs, you will likely be considered as performing substantial gainful activity and you cannot be said disability benefits.
Types of Benefits
There are two main types of disability benefits and your level of work affects whether you qualify for them.
- Social Security Disability Insurance: Designed for people who have worked but can no longer work anywhere doing any job because of a medical condition. The SSDI benefits received monthly are based on work history and work credits (taxable income). If enough credits have not been earned by the time you apply, you only have the option of qualifying for Supplemental Security Income benefits.
- Supplemental Security Income: A needs-based benefit, SSI is for people who have little or no income, like the elderly or children. If you work and make over a specific amount of money every month, you cannot receive SSI benefits. It is not just your income and assets taken into consideration for this disability benefit but also what is earned by others in your home. If they earn enough every month, SSI benefits are unlikely.
Get Legal Help to Qualify for Disability Benefits
If you cannot work or you are forcing yourself to put in some time just to get a meager income, it’s time to talk to your lawyer about filing for disability benefits. Getting assistance with this effort from the beginning means your paperwork will be completed correctly and without mistakes and you will have the best chance of getting benefits in a reasonable amount of time without a rejection or having to file an appeal. Allow Thurswell Law to help you. Schedule a consultation by calling (248) 354-2222 today. We do not charge any fees until we win.