Have you thought about working or increasing your income but are
concerned about how it will affect your benefits?
Social Security disability programs have many work incentives build in to encourage people to try working, with safety nets if things change. Benefits and Work Incentives Advisement is a core service of our Ticket to Work program. Below is a quick overview of some common work incentives, but there are many more. Additional information can be found in The Red Book – A Guide to Work Incentives published by the Social Security Administration https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/
Common Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Work Incentives
Trial Work Period
During the 9-month Trial Work Period there is no income limit and you can continue to receive your SSDI cash benefit.
Extended Period of Eligibility
A 36-month period following the Trial Work Period, where the monthly cash benefit is dependent on earnings.
Impairment Related Work Expenses
Expenses that you pay for and need in order to work and are related to your disability. Cost of approved items/services will be deducted from your countable wages.
Extended Medicare Eligibility
Maintain Medicare coverage for at least 93 months after the Trial Work Period ends. The beneficiary is still responsible for paying premiums.
Common Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Work Incentives
Income exclusions
SSI only goes down about 50 cents for every dollar in earned income. Use the Cornell SSI calculator to estimate your SSI benefit https://www.ytionline.org/ssi-calculation-worksheet.
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
Allows you to save money toward a specific employment goal with income saved not counted against your monthly SSI benefit calculation.
Blind Work Expenses & Impairment Related Work Expenses
Cost of approved expenses that allow you to work can be deducted from your countable wages
1619(b) Medicaid
In many states, you can maintain your Medicaid eligibility if earnings result in SSI monthly benefit being $0.