Can I Receive Disability Benefits If I Still Work Part-Time?

The Social Security Administration offers benefits for people that can no longer work due to medical problems or disability and qualify for disability benefits. It may be important to understand the two different classifications of disability benefits. They are Social Security  Disability Insurance (or SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income benefits (or SSI). SSDI is for people who get injured and can no longer perform their jobs. SSI is for people who make a lower income. For example, the elderly often fit into this section.

After understanding the sections and discovering which you belong in, you may decide that you would like to work part-time. Working part-time can be helpful in a lot of ways when it comes to the recovery process. Some people that are out of work due to medical problems or disability may need to get out of the house for a short amount of time to stay busy and not go stir crazy. However, you may be wondering if working part-time will impact the amount you get from disability benefits.

There is a cap amount someone can earn while receiving disability benefits called the substantial gainful activity limit. For the non-blind person the cap amount is $1170 per month and for the blind person, it is $1950 per month. Keeping this in mind, it is also important to define what part-time means. There is a small risk factor if you are working part-time while you apply for disability benefits. For example, there may be a big difference in the eyes of the Social Security Administration between working 12 hours a week and working 30 hours a week.

Gaining disability benefits can be extremely helpful while out of work and dealing with medical bills, but sometimes it may not be enough. Working part-time can make a lot of difference. Here at Franco Law Firm we want to help ease some of the legal stress, so you can focus on recovering. To learn more about disability benefits and to schedule a free consultation, please call us at (813) 872-0929.