Disability

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much Sue. I am sorry I didn’t

answer sooner, my computer is having trouble. My girlfriend called

me yesterday and told me about what I went through to get on permeate

disability. I have no memory of most of the things that happened for

about 2 years. My brain hemorrhage did that. She said it was real,

real hard for me to get on it. She told me she thinks my husband is

grabbing at straws and not seeing things reasonably. She said she is

afraid if I try something like that, I might loose my permeate disability or if

I am too sick the little money I can make will make it so my check is cut if I

get back on permeate. The pay you get depends on your income for the last

several months before you get sick. She said because my husband is bipolar he

is unable to think reasonably and I should not always listen to him.

Sincerely, Cheryl in CA

From: Sue

Mechem

Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 9:07

PM

To: LUPIES

Subject: Re: desperate in

CA

Cheryl -

I would call your local SS office and ask ! There is no

need, when asking a general question, to identify yourself.

I know there is a " trial " back to work program where you can

try out working and if you are unable to continue, you are supposed to be able

to go back to your full benefits. You should be able to get information

from the SS people.

According to the SS government site FAQ, it would appear you can have

some income... but I don't know how your husband's income might affect the

overall picture.

I went to http://www.ssa.gov/disability/ and

then clicked on " QUESTIONS " at the top - then on the screen that came

up in the box on the left I clicked the arrow and highlighted " disability "

and let it search... It gave me a list of questions with links one of which led

me to the statement,

" We evaluate the work activity of persons claiming or receiving

disability benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance. Beginning

January 1, 2004 a Social Security Disability beneficiary can earn $810 a month

and remain eligible for benefits. The amount for 2003 was $800. The Social

Security Administration uses the term " substantial gainful activity "

(SGA) to determine if work is substantial enough to make a person ineligible

for benefits. Under the new rule monthly SGA earnings limits will be

automatically adjusted annually based on increases in the national average wage

index. This amount applies to people with disabilities other than blindness.

If you

are blind, effective January 2003, earnings averaging over $1,330 a month

generally demonstrate SGA. For January 2004, the blind SGA amount was increased

to $1,350.

There are

other provisions and work exclusions that you should know about and we

recommend that you read The Redbook on Work Incentives which can be found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/redbook_page.html

"

Sue

desperate

in CA

I am

trying to figure out what to do. My husband and I are not making it

financially. I am on permeate disability. He thinks I can work

maybe 10 or so hours a week and they will let me keep the money and still keep

me on disability too.

___________________________________________________________________Send email with emotion.Try PowerPlugs: Emoticons for free!