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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Amy F.
I receive SSDI and work. I am an essential worker and make more money now due to hazard pay and shift differential. Since this is temporary will this affect my normal SSDI income?
V.V.
Hi Amy. Social Security does have special rules called “work incentives” that can help you keep your disability benefits while you work. There are different work incentives based on the type of disability benefit that you’re receiving. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. For more information, check out our brochure “Working While Disabled: How We Can Help” and visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability for more information.
For the various options available to report your work, check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page.
Mike
Hi. I am on SSDI and work part-time. My employer laid off some employees due to COVID-19 and we have been instructed to apply for unemployment. If I am awarded unemployment, how will this effect my SSDI?
Shawntravia J.
When will I be receiving my stimulus check
Shawntravia J.
How do I know if I receive SSA or SSI
V.V.
Hi Shawntravia, thank you for your question. If you received an SSA-1099, you’re receiving Social Security benefits. Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who do not have qualifying children under age 17 do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS. You should receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your Social Security benefits. Treasury expects automatic payments for Social Security beneficiaries no later than the end of April and automatic payments for SSI recipients no later than early May. We hope this helps.
Ari J.
Hello I just started working right before the pandemic I didn’t have the chance to report it. But I planned on trying to start working full time or part time before all of this happened . I’m not sure what to do. I applied for Pua unemployment benefits also. What should I do at this time? Should I report it even though I am laid off? And also if I receive unemployment benefits during this time is that okay?
V.V.
Hi Ari, thank you for your question. If you’re receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, you do need to report any work that you have done but unemployment insurance income will not affect your benefits. If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you do need to report all of your income, including unearned income such as unemployment. Please note that we will not consider economic impact payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.
For more about reporting income, check out the online booklet, Understanding Supplemental Security Income. To report your income, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Joanne J.
Will an insurance settlement affect disability income?
V.V.
Hi Joanne, thank you for your question. If you get either workers’ compensation, a settlement or public disability benefit payments, we may reduce Social Security benefits for you and your family. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for additional details. We hope this helps.
John W.
Will a loss of earnings settlement for a self-employed person disqualify them from disability if they are receiving disability now?
Maryellen L.
I am on SSDI and work part-time, our office will possibly be furloughed next week until July 31st. We were told we could collect unemployment, I’m just wondering if that applies for me, someone on SSDI? Thank you.
V.V.
Hi Maryellen, thanks for using our blog. We are unable to answer questions about unemployment insurance as each state administers its own program. Please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s web page for details. We hope this helps.
Tonya S.
Since the covid-19 I am now unable to work and I have not worked since March 12th that was the last day that I did work for the Mid-Del Public Schools. How can I get my ssi income back up since I am unable to work? Please contact me at (405) 922-7852.
V.V.
Hi Tonya, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Brenda G.
I am on Social Security disability will the stimulus check affect my benefits in any way as income for the month
V.V.
Hi Brenda, thank you for your question. If you’re receiving Social Security disability benefits, the economic impact payment has no affect on your benefit. In addition, we will not consider economic impact payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months. We hope this is helpful.
isaac s.
i have sdd how much can i have in bank