Guest guest Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Susie, I think you're referring to SSDI and not SSDO, correct? Go to the SSA website (www.ssa.gov) and do a search for the definition of 'gainful work activity'. It's part of the eligibility determination used for SSI or SSDI, and refers to the amount of income you can earn in a given period and still retain eligibility for benefits. If you can pull up the definition, do us a favor and post it here. While your son is still a full-time student, he will qualify for the 'Student Earned Exemption' which allows him to earn, I believe, up to $6,600 a year (or up to $1,670/month) and still be considered eligible for the full amount of SSI benefits and Medicaid once he turns 18. Anything over that and SSI/Medicaid would consider him 'gainfully employed' and begin reducing his benefits. But assuming he spends the money earned down to below that $2,000 asset ceiling every month on allowable expenses, I don't see you having a problem. Then, once he is no longer a full-time student (or when his transition services end), the amount of allowable monthly earnings goes way down to $85/month -- if he earns more than that, his SSI benefits begin to be reduced by a formula I cannot remember off the top of my head. If you earn more than $85/month, and are stilled disabled under the eligibility requirements, you may become eligible for SSDI benefits, which have higher earnings limits, lower monthly benefit, but you still retain access to Medicaid and Medicare. There's lots more to this topic, obviously, and we have lots of experts on IPADD who deal with this every day -- so Sherrie or Marsie or others jump in here if I've misstated this. Thanks. Laurie From: Susie Redfern Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:55 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: SSDO question I'm confused about the reference to " incapable of gainful employment " related to a disabled adult child (DAC). Does this mean this individual (a young man with autism, for example) should not seek or obtain employment, even if he is capable of it, or risk denial of benefits to which he'd otherwise be entitled. I don't quite get it. Susie Redfern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Different benefits have different rules: SSDI: ASSETS: does NOT look at assets  INCOME: Can earn up to $1000 per month (SGA - Substantial Gainful Activity for 2011) without having an effect on this montly benefit. Social Security's Definition of SGA: To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals; Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. . Amounts for 2011 The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2011 is $1640. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2011 is $1000.   SSI: ASSETS: For one person with a disability -> total assets (outside of a special needs trust) must always be under $2000 INCOME: For full time students - under the age of 22, they are allowed to earn up to $6600 yearly AND not affect the SSI benefit                   For not full time students or over the age of 22,                       the first $85 you earn, has no affect on SSI                        then, for every $2 you earn, SSI will subtract $1of SSI  Traditional Medicaid ASSETS: for one person who has a disability, total assets (outside of a special needs trust) must always be under $2000 INCOME: for one person who has a disability: you are allowed $928 in income per month - SSDI counts, SSI does NOT count   HBWD Medicaid (Health Benefits for Workers with a Disability ASSETS: Less than $25,000 (outside of a special needs trust) and qualified retirement accounts are exempt INCOME: for one person who has a disability: you are allowed $3159 in income per month  Hope this helps. -Sherri  ________________________________ From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Tue, February 8, 2011 9:35:00 AM Subject: Re: Re: SSDO question  Susie, I think you're referring to SSDI and not SSDO, correct? Go to the SSA website (www.ssa.gov) and do a search for the definition of 'gainful work activity'. It's part of the eligibility determination used for SSI or SSDI, and refers to the amount of income you can earn in a given period and still retain eligibility for benefits. If you can pull up the definition, do us a favor and post it here. While your son is still a full-time student, he will qualify for the 'Student Earned Exemption' which allows him to earn, I believe, up to $6,600 a year (or up to $1,670/month) and still be considered eligible for the full amount of SSI benefits and Medicaid once he turns 18. Anything over that and SSI/Medicaid would consider him 'gainfully employed' and begin reducing his benefits. But assuming he spends the money earned down to below that $2,000 asset ceiling every month on allowable expenses, I don't see you having a problem. Then, once he is no longer a full-time student (or when his transition services end), the amount of allowable monthly earnings goes way down to $85/month -- if he earns more than that, his SSI benefits begin to be reduced by a formula I cannot remember off the top of my head. If you earn more than $85/month, and are stilled disabled under the eligibility requirements, you may become eligible for SSDI benefits, which have higher earnings limits, lower monthly benefit, but you still retain access to Medicaid and Medicare. There's lots more to this topic, obviously, and we have lots of experts on IPADD who deal with this every day -- so Sherrie or Marsie or others jump in here if I've misstated this. Thanks. Laurie From: Susie Redfern Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:55 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: SSDO question I'm confused about the reference to " incapable of gainful employment " related to a disabled adult child (DAC). Does this mean this individual (a young man with autism, for example) should not seek or obtain employment, even if he is capable of it, or risk denial of benefits to which he'd otherwise be entitled. I don't quite get it. Susie Redfern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks Sherri. As usual, great information. From: Sherri Schneider Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 12:50 PM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Re: SSDO question Different benefits have different rules: SSDI: ASSETS: does NOT look at assets INCOME: Can earn up to $1000 per month (SGA - Substantial Gainful Activity for 2011) without having an effect on this montly benefit. Social Security's Definition of SGA: To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals; Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. . Amounts for 2011 The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2011 is $1640. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2011 is $1000. SSI: ASSETS: For one person with a disability -> total assets (outside of a special needs trust) must always be under $2000 INCOME: For full time students - under the age of 22, they are allowed to earn up to $6600 yearly AND not affect the SSI benefit For not full time students or over the age of 22, the first $85 you earn, has no affect on SSI then, for every $2 you earn, SSI will subtract $1of SSI Traditional Medicaid ASSETS: for one person who has a disability, total assets (outside of a special needs trust) must always be under $2000 INCOME: for one person who has a disability: you are allowed $928 in income per month - SSDI counts, SSI does NOT count HBWD Medicaid (Health Benefits for Workers with a Disability ASSETS: Less than $25,000 (outside of a special needs trust) and qualified retirement accounts are exempt INCOME: for one person who has a disability: you are allowed $3159 in income per month Hope this helps. -Sherri ________________________________ From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Tue, February 8, 2011 9:35:00 AM Subject: Re: Re: SSDO question Susie, I think you're referring to SSDI and not SSDO, correct? Go to the SSA website (www.ssa.gov) and do a search for the definition of 'gainful work activity'. It's part of the eligibility determination used for SSI or SSDI, and refers to the amount of income you can earn in a given period and still retain eligibility for benefits. If you can pull up the definition, do us a favor and post it here. While your son is still a full-time student, he will qualify for the 'Student Earned Exemption' which allows him to earn, I believe, up to $6,600 a year (or up to $1,670/month) and still be considered eligible for the full amount of SSI benefits and Medicaid once he turns 18. Anything over that and SSI/Medicaid would consider him 'gainfully employed' and begin reducing his benefits. But assuming he spends the money earned down to below that $2,000 asset ceiling every month on allowable expenses, I don't see you having a problem. Then, once he is no longer a full-time student (or when his transition services end), the amount of allowable monthly earnings goes way down to $85/month -- if he earns more than that, his SSI benefits begin to be reduced by a formula I cannot remember off the top of my head. If you earn more than $85/month, and are stilled disabled under the eligibility requirements, you may become eligible for SSDI benefits, which have higher earnings limits, lower monthly benefit, but you still retain access to Medicaid and Medicare. There's lots more to this topic, obviously, and we have lots of experts on IPADD who deal with this every day -- so Sherrie or Marsie or others jump in here if I've misstated this. Thanks. Laurie From: Susie Redfern Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:55 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: SSDO question I'm confused about the reference to " incapable of gainful employment " related to a disabled adult child (DAC). Does this mean this individual (a young man with autism, for example) should not seek or obtain employment, even if he is capable of it, or risk denial of benefits to which he'd otherwise be entitled. I don't quite get it. Susie Redfern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Do you have any work related expenses that may be applied to " lower " your income? Please either e-mail or call me so that we can talk about your specific situation. -Sherri ________________________________ From: Liz <dljar58@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 9:57:18 PM Subject: Re: SSDO question  Sherri, From talking to the lady at the SSA office the other day, I'm supposed to be receiving about 3 to 5 checks by the end of the year; BUT since I will probably be making more than I'm allowed through SSDI, I'm going to have to return the checks. I don't want to set up an acct. for checks that I'm going to have to return. Do you know what I'd have to do to not get the checks? My hrs have gotten cut & may be cut more in March; or I may be working more. I never know. I can't get through to my local SSA office. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 You are always welcome. ________________________________ From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 2:59:42 PM Subject: Re: Re: SSDO question  Thanks Sherri. As usual, great information. From: Sherri Schneider Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 12:50 PM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Re: SSDO question Different benefits have different rules: SSDI: ASSETS: does NOT look at assets INCOME: Can earn up to $1000 per month (SGA - Substantial Gainful Activity for 2011) without having an effect on this montly benefit. Social Security's Definition of SGA: To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals; Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. . Amounts for 2011 The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2011 is $1640. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2011 is $1000. SSI: ASSETS: For one person with a disability -> total assets (outside of a special needs trust) must always be under $2000 INCOME: For full time students - under the age of 22, they are allowed to earn up to $6600 yearly AND not affect the SSI benefit For not full time students or over the age of 22, the first $85 you earn, has no affect on SSI then, for every $2 you earn, SSI will subtract $1of SSI Traditional Medicaid ASSETS: for one person who has a disability, total assets (outside of a special needs trust) must always be under $2000 INCOME: for one person who has a disability: you are allowed $928 in income per month - SSDI counts, SSI does NOT count HBWD Medicaid (Health Benefits for Workers with a Disability ASSETS: Less than $25,000 (outside of a special needs trust) and qualified retirement accounts are exempt INCOME: for one person who has a disability: you are allowed $3159 in income per month Hope this helps. -Sherri ________________________________ From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Tue, February 8, 2011 9:35:00 AM Subject: Re: Re: SSDO question Susie, I think you're referring to SSDI and not SSDO, correct? Go to the SSA website (www.ssa.gov) and do a search for the definition of 'gainful work activity'. It's part of the eligibility determination used for SSI or SSDI, and refers to the amount of income you can earn in a given period and still retain eligibility for benefits. If you can pull up the definition, do us a favor and post it here. While your son is still a full-time student, he will qualify for the 'Student Earned Exemption' which allows him to earn, I believe, up to $6,600 a year (or up to $1,670/month) and still be considered eligible for the full amount of SSI benefits and Medicaid once he turns 18. Anything over that and SSI/Medicaid would consider him 'gainfully employed' and begin reducing his benefits. But assuming he spends the money earned down to below that $2,000 asset ceiling every month on allowable expenses, I don't see you having a problem. Then, once he is no longer a full-time student (or when his transition services end), the amount of allowable monthly earnings goes way down to $85/month -- if he earns more than that, his SSI benefits begin to be reduced by a formula I cannot remember off the top of my head. If you earn more than $85/month, and are stilled disabled under the eligibility requirements, you may become eligible for SSDI benefits, which have higher earnings limits, lower monthly benefit, but you still retain access to Medicaid and Medicare. There's lots more to this topic, obviously, and we have lots of experts on IPADD who deal with this every day -- so Sherrie or Marsie or others jump in here if I've misstated this. Thanks. Laurie From: Susie Redfern Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:55 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: SSDO question I'm confused about the reference to " incapable of gainful employment " related to a disabled adult child (DAC). Does this mean this individual (a young man with autism, for example) should not seek or obtain employment, even if he is capable of it, or risk denial of benefits to which he'd otherwise be entitled. I don't quite get it. Susie Redfern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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