When first getting Social Security Disability Insurance, you quit working. As time goes by, you may feel better, or your doctors may think you can do some work.
The question is can you work and still collect disability benefits? How much money can you make?
SSDI benefit eligibility
You will not get benefits if you have partial or short-term disability. Social Security deems you eligible for disability if:
- You cannot do the work you did because of your medical condition
- Your medical condition does not allow you to do other work
- Your disability has or will last at least one year or until death
SSA looks at the amount of money you earned the year you applied. In addition, it goes over your medical condition to determine the severity and if the condition meets the Blue Book standard for disability.
SSDI benefits and working
To be eligible to receive SSDI benefits you cannot sustain substantial gainful activity. This means you cannot hold down a full-time job and expect to keep disability benefits. However, you can work.
Each year, the SSA gives an amount you can make without affecting payments. For example, in 2021, you can make up to, but not over, $1,310 per month. If at some point you decide you want to work full time, the SSA allows a nine-month trial work period, during which you can work without losing your benefits.
Year to year, the SSA changes the amount of money you can make while on disability. Keep knowledgeable about the amount so as not to endanger your payments.
