If you have a disability and are receiving Social Security disability benefits, you may be wondering if it is possible to work part-time and still receive those benefits. The answer is yes, it is possible to work part-time and receive Social Security disability benefits, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
First, it's important to understand that Social Security disability benefits are intended to provide financial support to people who are unable to work full-time due to a disability. If you are able to work, even on a part-time basis, it's generally expected that you will do so. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that people with disabilities may need to work part-time in order to support themselves and their families.
In order to be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, you must meet certain requirements. First, you must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. You must also have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for disability benefits. This is determined by the number of "credits" you have earned through your work history.
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits and want to start working part-time, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you should notify the SSA of your intention to work. You can do this by calling the SSA or contacting them online. It's important to let the SSA know about your plans to work because your benefits may be affected.
If you start working and earn more than a certain amount of money per month, your Social Security disability benefits may be reduced or stopped altogether. This is known as the "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) limit. The SGA limit is adjusted each year, so it's important to check with the SSA to see what the current limit is.
If your earnings are below the SGA limit, you can continue to receive your full Social Security disability benefits. However, if your earnings are above the SGA limit, your benefits may be reduced or stopped altogether. If this happens, you may be able to receive partial benefits based on your earnings. This is known as a "trial work period."
During a trial work period, you can continue to receive your full Social Security disability benefits for any month in which you earn less than the SGA limit. If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month, your benefits will be reduced or stopped, but you will still be eligible to receive benefits for up to nine months after the trial work period ends. This is known as the "extended period of eligibility."
It's important to note that the trial work period and extended period of eligibility are not available to everyone. They are only available to people who are receiving Social Security disability benefits and who have not reached full retirement age.
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits and want to work part-time, it's important to keep track of your earnings and notify the SSA of any changes in your work status. This will help ensure that you receive the correct amount of benefits and avoid any potential overpayments or underpayments.
In addition to the SGA limit, there are other important considerations to keep in mind if you are receiving Social Security disability benefits and want to work part-time. For example, you may be eligible for certain work incentives that can help you maintain your benefits while you work. These incentives include the "ticket to work" program, which provides access to employment services and support to help you find and maintain employment.