A serious disability may prevent you from continuing your career the way you had envisioned. However, you may reach a point in your recovery where you can feasibly do some work.
If you desire to return to the workforce, you may wonder how this development may impact your social security disability benefits. A “trial work period” allows you the chance to assess your ability to maintain a job despite your disability.
A chance to try
The Social Security Administration recognizes that your return to work may not be as successful as you thought it would. They also recognize that you may need time to figure out which modifications you need to effectively perform your job functions. According to the SSA, a trial work period allows you nine months to straighten out some of these details. During that time period, you will continue to receive benefits.
An opportunity for growth
At the culmination of your trial work period, the SSA will assess your earning potential and determine whether to modify or suspend your benefits. If at any point you determine that working is no longer a feasible option for you, the SSA may restore your benefits if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Always inform the SSA of your intentions. This includes your desire to work, your success in finding a job, any changes to your income and any modifications your disability requires. Failure to inform the SSA of such changes could result in repercussions including requirements to repay any benefits you collected while working.
An attorney can help you prepare an SSD application, as well as file an appeal if administrators deny your application.
