For disabled individuals, Social Security disability benefits can be an important source of financial security and stability. After all, a disabling condition can prevent an individual from being able to work at his or her normal job and earn a normal income.

In some cases, disabled individuals remain unable to work indefinitely. In other more fortunate cases, however, disabled individuals can find ways to earn at least some income, either by returning to part-time work or in some other way. While earning additional income is generally a positive thing, it does leave many disabled individuals wondering how much income they can earn and still collect Social Security disability benefits. It’s an important and understandable question to ask.

Taking A Closer Look At The Calculations

Ultimately, the good news for those who want to earn some amount of income while still receiving Social Security disability benefits is that it is possible. Each year, the Social Security Administration sets an upper limit for how much income an individual can earn and still fall within the definition of “disabled” such that he or she can continue to receive disability benefits. This is known as the “substantial gainful activity” limit, or SGA limit for short. This limit is adjusted annually by the Social Security Administration to adjust for changes in the cost of living. In 2022, for example, a disabled individual was $1350 and $2260 for a blind individual.

If you are a disabled individual and your income exceeds the SGA limits, you generally cannot continue to collect disability benefits unless you are participating in one of the “work incentive” programs established by the Social Security Administration. These are programs that are aimed at encouraging recipients of disability benefits to make a transition back into the workforce.

The primary program of this nature is SSA’s “Ticket to Work” program, which offers job training, work experience, and other support services to help disabled individuals return to the workforce if possible. The SGA earnings limits are temporarily waived for individuals who participate in Ticket to Work. In addition, SSDI beneficiaries are often allowed a trial period of up to nine months to attempt a return to work. The trial months can be spread out over the course of five years, and during those months, disabled individuals can receive full benefits regardless of earnings.

Ultimately, if you are wondering whether or not you might be able to earn an additional income while still receiving either of these types of benefits, the best step you can take is to consult with an attorney who knows and understands the law. At The Law Firm, we’re here to help.

The Law Firm – Here For You

Wherever you find yourself in the Social Security disability process, you need a knowledgeable and experienced legal team on your side. Having an attorney who knows and understands the law will be essential to fully asserting your rights and to ensure that you pursue the most effective legal strategy to seek the benefits you need and deserve. At The Law Firm, we are that team. We’re here for you, and we’re ready to guide you each step of the way. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

About Author:- Francis Babet loves pursuing excellence through writing and has a passion for Legal. He currently writes for the Disability law Firm, a USA Based Law Firm that provides Short-term disability, SSD, SSI, SSDI, Personal Injury, and Disability pay. His work has been published on various sites related to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Disability Benefits and Disability Approved.