Working while on SSDI

[Guest guest]

Monte,

I haven't tested this, but here is my understanding:

If you earn less than $560 per month while on SSDI (that's what

I'm on),you are not gainfully employed. However, you can work

but to 80 hours per month in self-employment and not lose

benefits. I may have that number off slightly (the $560), but

it's close. It move upward yearly, but it didn't move much

last year with the stagnant economy. All of this might be

different on SSI.

So... if you earn over $560 for more than 9 months out of a

certain amount of time (36 months on a rolling calendar maybe?),

you may lose your SS. But, if you become disabled again within

a short period of time, you can get right back on without reapplying.

There is more to it, but those are the issues I worry about. I

agree... I don't want to lose benefits unless I'm really sure

I can make a living. I'm involved in vocational rehab to make

sure that happens. You do have some protections if you go

through a vocational rehab program, ie it buys you

more time working without losing benefits. I spent over a

decade falling at work related to fatigue, and I'm not willing

to take any chances.

At the www.ssa.gov site, look up TWP or Trial Work Period. I

think it's in a document called the Red Book. That's where I

got my info.

Thanks,

Danita