Working and Receiving SSD Benefits
Millions of Americans suffer from a disability. In fact, 40 million Americans have some sort of disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is not to say that all of these people are disabled from working. In fact, many disabled people, even those who are receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, are still capable of working in some limited capacity. However, if you are working while receiving SSD benefits, your benefits may be reduced or even discontinued. A highly qualified West Palm Beach Social Security Disability attorney will be able to provide more answers.
Maximum Substantial Gainful Activity
Disabled people who earn less than $1,180 per month are not earning Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and are economically qualified to receive SSD benefits, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) standards set for 2018. For blind individuals, the SGA is set higher at $1,970. But what is SGA? SGA applies to most types of income when that income adds up to $1,180 for a non-blind applicant or $1,970 for a blind applicant, meaning that if you make $1,300 per month as a non-blind disabled person, you will not qualify for SSD because you are engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity. Passive income from investments is not included in SGA.
Can Substantial Gainful Activity Ever be Excluded When Determining SSD?
As per DI 10505.010, an employer may increase a disabled employee’s wages to a rate that is higher than the value of work in order to subsidize earnings. In these special circumstances, the applicant can still receive SSD. The applicant can argue that his/her wages are artificially inflated because he/she requires assistance to perform his/her duties, is given extra breaks, is allowed to work more slowly or be less productive, or is allowed to work at this job only because of a special relationship with his/her employer.
A West Palm Beach Attorney is Standing By to Help
We strongly advise you to contact an attorney if you apply for SSD benefits. If you are engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (making more than $1,180 as a non-blind person), you will automatically be denied even if you have those exemptions previously mentioned above. Please contact the West Palm Beach attorneys of the Celeste Law Firm today to learn how we can help you apply and successfully receive SSD without being denied or delayed.
Resource:
cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6538a1.htm