Is My Earned Income Deducted From Ssdi And Ssi
Any income you earn has the potential to reduce your SSD monthly financial benefits. To understand how your income will impact your benefits, you must first apply for, or be a recipient of, the appropriate SSD benefits program. You may even qualify to receive benefits from both programs simultaneously.
What Is The Medicaid Buyin Program For Working People With Disabilities
- The Medicaid BuyIn program offers Medicaid coverage to people with disabilities who are working and earning more than the allowable limits for regular Medicaid, the opportunity to retain their health care coverage through Medicaid. This program allows working people with disabilities to earn more income without the risk of losing vital health care coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With A Disability
How will working affect my disability benefits and health care coverage?
This is a complicated question and the answer varies by situation and individual. In order to address your specific concerns about how working will affect your disability benefits or health care coverage, we have Disability Resource Coordinators available in some of our One-Stop Career Centers around the state. All of our Disability Resource Coordinators are certified benefits counselors who can provide free benefits counseling and tell you about the Ticket to Work Program. Go to the Disability Employment Initiative , to locate a Disability Resource Coordinator near you.
What is the Ticket to Work Program?
Ticket to Work is a free and voluntary program that can help Social Security Beneficiaries go to work and become financially independent. Individuals ages 18-64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income may qualify for this program. To find out more about the Ticket to Work Program, go to the Disability Employment Initiative to contact a Disability Resource Coordinator.
Can I return to work while receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income ?
If I go to work, will I automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaid?
If I use my Ticket to go to work, will the Social Security Administration conduct a medical review of my case?
How can the local One Stop Career Center in my county assist me with the Ticket to Work Program?
Don’t Miss: Va Disability Pay Schedule 2022
Why Work With A Social Security Disability Lawyer From Our Firm On Your Case
The SSA denies a large percentage of applications upon their first submissions. Our team understands that Disability benefits mean the world to your financial stability.
We help our clients by:
- Making sure your application is complete
- Explaining the application and appeals process
- Meeting strict deadlines
- Representing you before an Administrative Law Judge
- Answering your questions
- Monitoring the status of your claim
- Ensuring the SSA has the necessary information about your healthcare
Our co-founder, Cynthia C. Berger, has reviewed thousands of Disability claims during her career. Attorney Berger and her team can use their years of experience to assess the strength of your application and whether you can work while receiving benefits.
You Can Lose Disability Benefits If You Commit Fraud

If the SSA determines that a disability claim was in any way fraudulent and the fraud affected the outcome of the claim, the applicant’s benefits will stop. You will lose benefits if you knowingly do any of the following:
- give false information about your identity
- give a false statement about or misrepresent facts that could affect your disability case
- give false information about how much money you’ve earned
- give false information about whether or not you’re self-employed, or
- hide or don’t report anything that might affect your right to benefits.
Don’t Miss: Different Types Of Learning Disabilities
Can You Get Medicare If You Are Still Working
- Your current employment status is not a factor in whether or not youre eligible for Medicare at age 65.
- If you initially decline Medicare coverage, you may have to pay a penalty if you decide to enroll at a later date.
You can get Medicare if youre still working and meet the Medicare eligibility requirements.
You become eligible for Medicare once you turn 65 years old if youre a U.S. citizen or have been a permanent resident for the past 5 years. You can also enroll in Medicare even if youre covered by an employer medical plan.
Read on to learn more about what to do if youre eligible for Medicare and are still employed.
You May Like: Medicaid Fraud Statute Of Limitations
Bryant Legal Group: Illinois Trusted Disability Insurance Law Firm
At Bryant Legal Group, our disability insurance lawyers help disabled people navigate their complex disability claims. If you have questions about your long-term disability plan and whether you can do part-time work, contact our team today. We can help you understand your plans terms and conditions and suggest strategies that protect your right to ongoing benefits. And if the insurance company terminates your LTD benefits, our ERISA lawyers can help you fight back.
To schedule your free initial consultation, call us at or complete our online contact form.
You May Like: Does Epilepsy Qualify For Disability
How Free Food And Shelter Affect Your Ssi
If you receive free food and shelter, the SSA will count it as “in-kind” income, and it can affect your benefits. For example, if you live with your adult child who pays your living expenses, the food and shelter provided to you would be counted as in-kind income, and your SSI benefits would be reduced by one-third.
What Does Medicare And Medicaid Pay For
Medicaid is known as the payer of last resort. As a result, any health care services that a dual eligible beneficiary receives are paid first by Medicare, and then by Medicaid. For full dual eligible beneficiaries, Medicaid will cover the cost of care of services that Medicare does not cover or only partially covers . Such services may include but are not limited to:
- Nursing home care
- Eye examinations for prescription glasses
The financial assistance provided to partial dual eligible beneficiaries is outlined in the table above.
Donât Miss: How To Renew Medicaid Ny Online
Recommended Reading: How Does Disability Lawyer Get Paid
How Reaching Retirement Age Affects Disability
If you’re eligible for retirement and you’re getting disability now, when you reach full retirement age, your Social Security disability benefits will simply convert to retirement benefits. Because full retirement benefits are generally equal to SSDI payments, your benefit amount shouldn’t change. So, although you’ll technically lose your disability benefits at retirement, your retirement benefit will make up for the loss.
Extended Period Of Eligibility
After your trial work period expires, you may be granted an additional 36-month extended period of eligibility. In this case, you can continue working part-time on disability while collecting full benefits as long as your earnings are not considered by the SSA to be substantial.
The SSA defines Substantial Gainful Activity as any monthly earnings over $1,260 except for those who receive disability for vision problems. Blind workers may earn up to $2,110 per month during an extended period of eligibility. The extended period of eligibility is helpful to many because it does not require you to reapply for disability benefits.
Read Also: Dating Sites For Disabled People
Should I Get Disability Coverage
If you are the breadwinner in your family and your income would stop if you become ill or injured and cannot work, you should look into disability insurance. According to U.S. government statistics, one in four 20-year-olds becomes disabled before reaching retirement age. Statistics like this make it all the more important that you consider protecting yourself and your family with disability coverage.
The Ticket To Work Program

If you are an SSDI recipient, you have the option of participating in this program.
The SSA gives you a trial period in which you work regularly. This is a test run to see if you can return to the workforce. During this time, your benefits will continue. If your disability still prevents you from working full-time, you can stop and continue receiving benefits.
Your trial work period lasts for a maximum of nine months during a five year period of time. You can use that time all at once or spread out over several years.
Read Also: Apply For Disability In Georgia
Can I Go Back To Work After I Have Retired
You can return to work and still collect Social Security retirement benefits. But certain limits and rules must be followed. ⦠People may claim Social Security at 62 only to go back to work a few years later because theyâre not getting as much money in benefits as they anticipated, Ross explained.
Can You Work Part
People receiving Social Security disability benefits can work part-time and still receive their monthly payments. The Social Security Administrations Ticket to Work program and work incentives can help people work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. Here is a closer look at Social Security programs that enable people who receive disability benefits to work without losing their entitlement to the benefits.
Also Check: What Qualifies You For Social Security Disability
What If I Already Work Meet The Social Security Administrations Definition Of Being Disabled And Receive Medicaid Coverage With A Monthly Spenddown
- If you are already working and receive Medicaid coverage with a monthly spenddown and meet the Social Security Administration´s definition of disabled, you still have the option of participating in the Medicaid BuyIn Program for Working People with Disabilities. In the MBIWPD program there are no spenddown requirements. Depending on how much income you have, there may be a modest premium however, at this time, premiums are not being charged.
Applying For Disability Benefits While Working Part
If you are working when you apply for disability benefits and you earn over the SGA limit, your application will likely be denied. In addition, earning lower than the SGA amount does not necessarily mean that you are eligible for benefits. Social Security will not only consider your monthly earnings but the type of work and the number of hours you work.
As an example, if you make less than $1,260 per month but work 30 hours per week, a disability examiner may determine that you are not disabled or that you are working part-time because you cannot find full-time work, not because of a medical condition.
On the other hand, earning a high wage does not necessarily mean that you are performing substantial gainful activity. If your employer provides special conditions that allow you to work, for example, the cost of any impairment-related expenses can be deducted from your earnings to determine your monthly amount.
Additionally, if you quit your job before you apply for disability benefits, you must be able to demonstrate that you left because your medical condition worsened, not because you wanted to meet the SGA requirement. Moreover, certain volunteer activities may indicate that you are able to perform some type of work, which may make you ineligible for disability benefits.
Also Check: Aflac Short Term Disability Forms
What If I Dont Have Enough Work Credits
If you dont have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits.
SSI offers benefits to applicants with low incomes and few personal assets, even if they have not earned enough work credits throughout their employment history. If you do not earn much money and have only worked part-time or sporadically throughout your lifetime, you might meet the requirements for SSI.
While the SSI program counts several different types of income toward its program limits, it also allows for some exceptions and exemptions such as property that you own but also live in. We can look over your financial information to determine if you meet the requirements for this program.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
How Much Money Can You Have In The Bank While On Disability
The general rule is that if you have more than $2000 as a single person or $3000 as a married couple, then you will likely not be able to receive SSI benefits even if you are disabled. These assets can include: Any money in any bank accounts, including savings, or any cash you have. More than one vehicle to your name.
Don’t Miss: Power Of Attorney For Disabled Adults
Can I Use Disability Insurance Or Paid Family Leave Benefits Intermittently While Working Part
Yes. You can receive benefits intermittently while working part-time as long as you continue to meet the other eligibility requirements.
Using SDI Online:
Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.
New mothers who were on pregnancy disability and are transitioning to bonding should use these instructions.
Using SDI Online:
Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.
Can You Lose Your Disability Benefits

Social Security disability benefits are rarely terminated due to medical improvement, but SSI recipients can lose their benefits if they have too much income or assets. Although it is rare, there are circumstances under which the Social Security Administration can end a person’s disability benefits.
Don’t Miss: Ohio Department Of Developmental Disability
What Is A Disability
The Social Security Administration defines a disability as having a qualifying medical condition that prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity , which is work that provides a certain amount of income each month. For 2020, the SGA is $1,260 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,110 per month for blind individuals.
Does My Parents Income Affect My Medicaid
Your parents income may affect your eligibility to receive Medicaid if:
- You live with them, or
- They could claim as you a dependent on their taxes
If youre under 19, your parents income will affect your Medicaid eligibility as long as you live together. If youre 19 or older, your parents income will affect your Medicaid if they claim you as a dependent on their taxes.
In most cases, Medicaid income eligibility is determined by your Modified Adjusted Gross Income . MAGI is calculated from household size and total household income.
Your MAGI must be less than a set amount to qualify for Medicaid. Using MAGI allows people with larger households to have higher household incomes and still qualify for Medicaid. Income limits are different in every state. For example, in Texas, a three-person household can have a total income of $43,481. In Colorado, the income limit is $29,207.
If your parents are considered part of your household, they will impact your Medicaid eligibility. Although your parents will increase your household size, living together may prevent you from receiving Medicaid if their incomes are too high.
Also Check: How To Get Off Disability And Back To Work
How Unpaid Work Affects Disability Benefits
It’s important to note that even if you aren’t being paid to do work, activities you perform for others can affect your benefits. The SSA can decide that your non-work activity is the same as a substantial work activity and stop paying your benefits. This can happen if the amount and type of work you’re doing would be paid at the SGA level under different circumstances. Examples of unpaid work that could be interpreted as substantial work activities include:
- running your own business or freelancing, or
- doing work for family members.
If you’re earning money through a return to work plan or Ticket to Work), your earnings shouldn’t trigger a CDR. The same is true if you’re in a trial work period and you’ve received more than 24 months of SSDI benefits.
Will I Lose My Disability If I Decide To Work Part
Social security will allow a person to receive full benefits but still work minimal hours per week. It can be a different number of hours for different claimants.
Should I File An Appeal With The Appeals Council? Is That Always The Best Idea?
If your claim is not well-substantiated or your disability is minimal, it might not be a good use of time to file an appeal.
What Are The Advantages To Filing An Appeal With The Appeals Council? Could New Medical Evidence Be Considered?
Social Security has rules against filing new evidence in an appeal. It has to be evidence that was in the timeline in which the judge making a decision could have reviewed the records. Records that are dated after your administrative law judge decision will likely be rejected.
What Does A Partially Favorable Decision Mean When It Comes To Social Security Disability?
A partially favorable decision means that you are not awarded all of the benefits that you requested. For example, you may have filed an application dated January, 2019 claiming that you were disabled in June, 2017. The judge may decide that you were not disabled that far back. He may decide that you were only disabled three months ago. That would be a partially favorable decision.
What Are The Disadvantages Or Drawbacks Of Appealing A Partially Favorable Decision?
What Are The Alternatives To Appealing A Denial Of My Social Security Claim?
Is It Possible To Reopen A Claim After A Denial Of Social Security Disability Benefits?
Recommended Reading: Medicaid For Adults With Disabilities