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    South Carolina Man wonders if he qualifies for long-term Disability

    Here Are 2 Ways You Can Resume Working While Getting Social Security Disability

    Even though you’re receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you’re still bringing home nowhere near the income you had when you worked.

    Bills, medical expenses, your mortgage and more are hard to juggle.

    As you recover from serious health problems, you might feel well enough to try returning to work on a limited basis. You certainly need the income. It would be great to feel you’re making progress toward normalcy.

    But working puts your Social Security Disability benefits at risk.

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a couple of options where you can earn up to a certain amount of income and keep your monthly disability checks:

    • Substantial Gainful Activity guidelines
    • Trial Work Period

    On this page, we’ll provide an overview of how these options work.

    It can be confusing and frustrating. This is where having an experienced South Carolina Social Security Disability attorney from the Robertson Wendt Disability—Finkel Law Firm LLC can ease your way.

    In Charleston, Columbia or anywhere in South Carolina, if you have questions or need help with your disability benefits, talk to us.

    Contact Us Today!

    The Usual Social Security Disability Work Limit: Substantial Gainful Activity

    What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?

    This is an SSA term. Gainful work activity is their word for work you do for pay or profit. They have set an income limit for people who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or are already receiving benefits.

    Any amount above that threshold is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you take home more than this amount after taxes in any given month, you will be disqualified from SSDI benefits.

    So how much can you make in a month without losing SSDI benefits?

    Every year, the SSA sets a new amount for what they consider the SGA level. The amount is based on changes in average wages nationwide.

    • In 2021, SGA was $1,310 a month after taxes/$2,190 for people with blindness.
    • For 2022, Social Security set the same SGA limits as $1,350 and $2,260 respectively

    If you need help meeting the qualifications for Social Security Disability benefits, or appealing a denial of benefits, our disability lawyers can evaluate your situation at no cost to you.

    Call Us Now!

    The Other Way to Earn Income and Keep Disability Benefits: the Trial Work Period

    When you apply for benefits, Social Security will place your age in one of these groups:

    • “Younger Person” (age 18-49):At this age, you must show that your medical problems keep you from doing your last job or any other work for which you’re qualified.
    • “Closely Approaching Advanced Age” (age 50-54): Social Security focuses more on whether you can do your most recent job with your health problems. You face less of a burden to prove you can’t switch to any other job.
    • “Person of Advanced Age” (age 55 & up): Once you reach this age range, Social Security requires even less evidence to prove you can’t work at all due to your health issues.

    After Years of Hard Work, It’s Your Right to Apply for Social Security Disability

    Disability benefits are not welfare. You paid into the Social Security system from every paycheck you earned while you worked. That money is there to help people just like you when health problems make it impossible to earn a living.

    Don’t feel embarrassed about needing help. You’re not alone. Social Security itself says that one in four workers will encounter a disability before they reach retirement.

    At our law firm, we know how to apply the rules for people age 50-plus, how to help you prove your disability case and how to get the benefits you deserve.

    Even though it’s easier to get benefits once you reach 50, don’t take anything for granted. Your future financial security is at stake

    Give Us a Call.

    South Carolina woman meets with local disability lawyer, Robertson Wendt

    The Other Way to Earn Income and Keep Disability Benefits: the Trial Work Period

    What is a Trial Work Period (TWP)?

    In addition to the SGA rules, there is a Trial Work Period that allows you to work while still receiving disability income. And it has a lower earnings limit than the SGA rule.

    How do you enroll in a TWP?

    This is something automatically triggered by your income; you do not have to enroll in the program.

    These are the income levels that trigger a trial work period:

    • In 2021, TWP income was $940 a month gross (before taxes)
    • For 2022, TWP income was set at $970 gross

    How long does the Trial Work Period last?

    • The TWP runs for a period of nine months. Those can be nine months in row, or nine months spread out over the course of five years.
    • Any month in which you earn more than the TWP earnings level is considered part of the trial period.
    • During those nine months, you will receive your full SSDI benefit, regardless of your income.

    What happens when the TWP ends?

    • If you earned more than the TWP limit but less than the Substantial Gain Activity (SGA) limit during the TWP, when the TWP ends your SSDI benefit payments will continue.
    • If you earned more than the SGA amount during any month of your TWP, when the TWP ends you will enter an Extended Period of Eligibility.

    What is the Extended Period of Eligibility?

    • This is a period of 36 months after the last month of the TWP.
    • If your income rises above the SGA limit during even one of those 36 months, your SSDI payments will cease once the 36 months are over.

    Can you get your disability benefits back if you have to stop working again later due to bad health?

    • You have an “Expedited Reinstatement” period of five years after the Extended Period of Eligibility ends
    • During this time, if you have to stop working again, you can have your SSDI benefits reinstated.

    If you’re receiving SSDI benefits, would like to try returning to work, but don’t want to lose your benefits before you’re ready—or you need to get Social Security Disability benefits in the first place—let Robertson Wendt Disability help you.

    You want to make the right decisions for your situation—to protect your financial future.

    Call Us Now!

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