Many people filing for Social Security Disability benefits may not have a family member, spouse or friends that can pay their bills or support them while they are out of work and filing for disability benefits. If you are capable of performing substantial gainful work activity, you will not meet the rules for disability. Social Security has certain rules for determining what is considered gainful work activity. SSA considers any month your earnings exceed $1,350.00 for the year 2022 to be substantial gainful work. This is based on gross income.
There are different rules for those who are blind and different rules for those filing for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. If you are filing for SSI benefits, your income can not exceed the SSI income limits. This limit is different in some states, but the overall federal benefit amount is $841.00 for 2022. SSA does not consider the first $20.00 of all income and the first $65.00 of earned income. However, after that, your gross wages will reduce any applicable SSI benefit dollar for dollar.
Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits are there for when you are no longer able to work due to severe impairments. SSA does not take into account your debt, your mortgage, or your loans or way of living in determining your monthly benefit or income. However, they do understand the financial strain this puts on individuals and families. Usually, if you are only capable of part time work which is less than the limits noted above, this work will not affect your disability determination.
SSA is a long process for many individuals. All too often it results in the loss of possessions, homes, and even homelessness. The initial and reconsideration processes have a six to 12 month back log for each stage of the determination. Many people have already been waiting two years or more by the time they reach the hearing level.
There are lots of rules to working while filing for Social Security benefits, call one of the experienced disability representatives at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today at 251-343-1111 for a free consultation. Gardberg & Kemmerly specialize in helping the injured and disabled in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana.