Working While Disabled — Social Security Can Help
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 15, 2021
For millions of people, work isn’t just a source of income. It’s a vital part of who they are – it gives them purpose and pride. It’s a connection to community. We’re here to help you get back to work if you’re disabled.
If you’re getting Social Security disability benefits, we have good news for you. Social Security’s work incentives and Ticket to Work programs can help you if you’re interested in working. Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work – and still receive monthly payments.
The Ticket to Work program may help you if you’d like to work. You can receive:
- Free vocational rehabilitation.
- Training.
- Job referrals.
- Other employment support.
You can read more about working while receiving disability benefits on our Ticket to Work Program page.
Work incentives include:
- Continued cash benefits for a time while you work.
- Continued Medicare or Medicaid while you work.
- Help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work.
If you’re receiving Social Security disability benefits or SSI, let us know right away when you start or stop working. This is also important if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits.
If you returned to work, but you can’t continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can start again. Plus, you may not have to file a new application.
You can learn more about the Ticket to Work program by reading our publication, Working While Disabled: How We Can Help.
Part of securing today and tomorrow is giving you the tools to create a fulfilling life. Getting back to work might be part of that. We’re here with a ticket to a secure tomorrow.
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Tags: Disability, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security benefits, social security disability benefits, SSI
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Christopher L.
Q1: I believe maximum working income on Disability is $1,240 / month, without loss of benefits. Does the monthly amt increase for year, 2020?
Q2: Is the above monthly income amount determined after contributions to a Keogh Plan, 401(k) Savings, or other qualified savings?
Q3: I am planning on quitting one job and pursuing a more satisfying method of income. To whom do I report my planned changes?
Ann C.
Hi, Christopher. Thanks for your questions. If you are referring to Social Security disability benefits, special rules allow you to work temporarily without losing your monthly Social Security disability benefits. After your nine-month trial work period, we still provide a safety net that allows you to work another three years risk free. During those three years, you can work and still receive benefits for any month in which your earnings do not exceed a certain limit. For 2020 those limits are: $2,110 for blind individuals; or $1,260 a month if you are not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits and how to report changes, click here. We hope this information is helpful.
Pete
Work gives disabled people purpose and pride. But we went through the excruciating process of getting SSDI because we CAN’T work! It goes on…”if you are interested in working…” You mean people who are disabled and unable to work are NOT interested in working??? I’m highly offended by the inferences.
Jimmie M.
Jim, a friend of mine requested that I assist SC Veteran with some issues he was having. I find that I can help him with VA issues as I retired from the agency several years ago. He is unable to work and his wife was picking some work hours in the community until she had a stroke and may not be able to continue with part time employment in the future. The age of the couple is around 36 or 37 non with three kids under the age of 9. He has applied for SS disability and was turned down and is in the appeal process. My question is, if she meets the criteria can she draw temporary SSD under his SS ? Her work history is limited. Jimmie my email is: mckn525379@yahoo.com
Ann C.
Hi, Jimmie. There is no temporary payment under the Disability programs. However, she may be eligible under the Supplemental Security Income program. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. For more information and how to file, please visit here. We hope this helps.
John w.
How much can you make working a year while on social security disability
Ann C.
Hi, John. If you are referring to Social Security disability benefits, special rules allow you to work temporarily without losing your monthly Social Security disability benefits. After your nine-month trial work period, we still provide a safety net that allows you to work another three years risk free. During those three years, you can work and still receive benefits for any month in which your earnings do not exceed a certain limit. For 2020 those limits are: $2,110 for blind individuals; or $1,260 a month if you are not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, click here. We hope this helps.
James A.
I want to set up a meeting on Disability benefits as I can hardly work anymore I live near West Chester. And the office on West Chester Pike. Help please
Ann C.
Hi, James. If you still need to an appointment, you can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and a representative will assist you. We hope this helps.
Daniel b.
How Much Can I Earn on Social Security Disability in 2020?
Ann C.
Hi, Daniel. Thank you for your question. If you are referring to Social Security disability benefits, special rules allow you to work temporarily without losing your monthly Social Security disability benefits. After your nine-month trial work period, we still provide a safety net that allows you to work another three years risk free. During those three years, you can work and still receive benefits for any month in which your earnings do not exceed a certain limit. In 2020 those limits are: $2,110 for blind individuals; or $1,260 a month if you are not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, click here. We hope this helps.
Vivian M.
I was wondering how long I receive disability benefits after I turn 65. I understand I will be classified as retired at some point but don’t know how long before I do.
Thank you
Ann C.
Hi, Vivian. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the benefit amount remains the same. Therefore, you don’t have to do anything. To find out your full retirement age, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Susan B.
Hello
I am considering taking a part time job.
The job will involve transporting disabled individuals to their day programs.
They are offering a $200 sign on bonus.
And another $200 bonus if one stays employed for 60 days.
These Bonus’ are not involved with earnings but are an incentive to join the company.,
Could you please tell me if these amounts are counted as part of the monthly $1, 260 starting in 2020?
Could you also advise me as to whether Sick Vacation and or Holiday pay are counted toward monthly earnings?
Could you also explain how the cost of my psychotropic prescriptions reduce my monthly
earnings.
The amount I pay varies each month. There are ,months when I do not purchase any prescriptions.
Thank you very much,
Susan
Luis A.
Hi Susan. When you work while getting Social Security benefits and you have not reached your full retirement age, your earnings may reduce your benefits. If you are younger than full retirement age during all of 2020, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2020, that limit is $18,240. In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above $48,600, but we only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. For more information, visit our Getting Benefits While Working web page. We hope this helps.
Marge S.
If I go back to work after being on disability how much disability will I lose?
Luis A.
Hi Marge. It may be possible for you to work while you are receiving disability benefits. Whether you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is important to let us know promptly when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. We have programs that may help you with your situation. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.”
For your security, we do not have access to information about your account on this forum. We do ask that you contact your local Social Security office with questions about your specific case. We hope this helps.
Deborah R.
can you work partime while on disability without your benefits being affected and how much is the maxium you can make per month this is for my son.
Luis A.
Hi Deborah. It may be possible for your son to work while you are receiving disability benefits. Whether your son is receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is important to let us know promptly when he starts or stops working, or if any other change occurs that could affect his benefits. We have programs that may help him with his situation. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” Please note that for your security, we do not have access to information about your account on this forum. We do ask that you contact your local Social Security office with questions about your specific case, or you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.