How to Keep SSDI Benefits When You Start a New Job
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How to Keep SSDI Benefits When You Start a New Job
If you have recently gotten a new job you may wonder about how to keep SSDI benefits. This is a valid concern because as hard as it sometimes is to get these benefits, you do not want to lose them.
It can get complicated when trying to figure out legal issues and how the government works when dealing with anything, much less trying to know how much you can make and still keep SSDI benefits.
Many people who become disabled still want to work. They may not be able to work as much as others, so they still need SSDI benefits.
How to Keep SSDI Benefits
Keeping your SSDI benefits will depend on how much you work. Typically people getting SSDI benefits cannot work an amount considered to be substantial and gainful activity. This means working and making more than $1310 in 2021 per month. For individuals who are blind, the SGA in 2021 is $2190.
This total is called the SGA amount. You can get around this because you get to test your ability to work. This is a nine-month period and you will still receive full SSDI benefits during this time.
This works for self-employed people as well. If you work more than eighty hours in a month that is considered a trial work month.
After you complete this trial work period, you will have three years to receive full SSDI benefits for any month you do not get the SGA amount of $1310 in 2021. For individuals who are blind, the number is $2190. This is your extended eligibility period. The trial work period is important because it gives you peace of mind knowing that you have three years where you can still get full benefits if your income falls below the SGA range.
This helps people who are afraid to work because they might lose their benefits. Many people still want to work but become scared to try. The trial work period helps with this.
If you wonder how to keep SSDI benefits after a minimum wage increase, it is possible to decrease hours and keep the same amount of income. In most cases, you will keep your benefits.
Finding Help Is Important
Navigating how SSDI benefits work is confusing for many people. Help is available to understand it better. If you want to work and still have SSDI benefits, you may need to reach out to people who know how it all works.
The more skills you have the better job you will get. This is true for anyone not only people with disabilities. If you are considering trying to find a job while receiving SSDI benefits, brush up on any skills you may need.
Employers want people who have experience or knowledge. Now it is easy to take advantage of resources that help you grow in the skills needed for a good job. You can do this and still keep your benefits because of the trial work period.
In understanding how to keep SSDI but cancel SSI benefits, it is important to know that SSI will get based on financial need. You can receive both but if you get SSDI now, it will count toward any SSI benefit. You can cancel your SSI and still receive SSDI every month.
It may seem a little confusing but remember SSDI gets based on your employment history. It is not based solely on financial need.
Is It Worth Finding a Job?
If you are someone who receives SSDI benefits, you may be wondering if finding a job is worth it. Many people have been in those same shoes. It is scary to think that after all the time it takes to get approved for SSDI benefits, that you could lose them.
This does not have to be the case. This is the reason the trial work period was put in place. It removes the fear associated with getting a job and losing your benefits.
Now you can test things out and see if you can work. In some cases, you may not be but sometimes you can work and still receive your SSDI benefits. During this period of nine months even if you make more than $1310 per month and for individuals who are blind the number is $2190 and you can keep your SSDI benefits.
After the trial work period ends, you still have five years after your SSDI payments have stopped, to get them reinstated if you have to stop working because of your disability.
This takes a huge burden off of you. During this five year time, you will not have to file for disability again to get benefits. This is considered an expedited reinstatement.
The Bottom Line
Some people cannot make a living on what they get for SSDI benefits alone. This is when they try to find employment. There is work for people with disabilities and trying to find something you can do will not be held against you.
If you want to try to work while receiving SSDI, that is an option. Since the trial work period was put in place, it gives you time to work and see if you can continue. If not you will not be penalized for trying.
During this time you will still get full benefits while you work, even if you make more than $1310 per month. If you are a blind individual, the number is $2190. After that, for an additional three years, you will get your full SSDI benefit for any month you make less than the SGA amount of $1310 and for the blind, the number is $2190.. This helps to reduce any fears about going back to work while getting SSDI benefits.
After the trial work period, you still have five years in which your benefits are able to be reinstated should you have to stop working because of your disability. This is encouraging because it means you will not have to reapply for disability, which can sometimes take a while to be approved.
Knowing how to keep SSDI benefits is important. After being approved, this is not something you want to risk losing. Contact us for more information on how we can help you understand the process of disability employment.