Question by debra c: back to disabiltiy/work question?
so what the question is i guess?? is can they work 25hr. and not get more than $ 500/mon. and still keep what little benefits they’re getting w/o losing it. because being disable they are limited to do stuff, but with prices going up . he can’t pay bill and make it. i told him i thought u could make some??? i know with the ticket thing they have supposely places to work, but just wondered if u could find one on their own or has to be with maximus??? thanks for any help u guys. this stuff is confussing. i had no idea

Best answer:

Answer by meowzie
Okay, let’s see if I can help you understand things a bit better. I have the Social Security website up in another window on my computer.

First of all, the amount one can receive from work without it being considered substantial income is less than $ 670 a month.

He can find a job on his own, however for it to not send him into the Trial Work Period, he cannot earn gross (before taxes) of $ 670 per month. I don’t know if that will help him out enough or not. He must report it to Social Security.

If he hasn’t completed his Trial Work Period, this is what it is:

“Trial work period — The trial work period allows you to test your ability to work for at least nine months. During your trial work period, you will receive your full Social Security benefits regardless of how much you are earning as long as you report your work activity and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2008, a trial work month is any month in which your total earnings are $ 670 or more, or, if you are self-employed, you earn more than $ 670 (after expenses) or spend more than 80 hours in your own business. The trial work period continues until you have worked nine months within a 60-month period.”

“Extended period of eligibility — After your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings are not “substantial.” In 2008, earnings of $ 940 or more ($ 1,570 if you are blind) are considered substantial. No new application or disability decision is needed for you to receive a Social Security disability benefit during this period.”

The Ticket to Work Program has some benefits to it in addition to the Trial Work Period.

“While you are actively participating in the Ticket to Work program, you can get the help you need to find the job that is right for you and you can safely explore your work options without losing your benefits.

You can easily return to benefits if you have to stop working (known as “expedited reinstatement of benefits”);
You can continue to receive healthcare benefits; and
You will not receive a continuing disability review (CDR) while using your Ticket.

In addition, you will still be able to use other Social Security Administration programs and work incentives to help you transition into work:

A Trial Work Period (TWP)
Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)
Deferral of continuing disability reviews (CDR)
A plan for achieving self support (PASS) (PASS Success Story)
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Programs support
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) support
Employment Network (EN) support
Job training and referrals; and
Other employment support services.”

The only true advantages I see of the Ticket to Work program are suspension of continued disability reviews and the additional training and help finding a job. The rest is the same whether he finds a job on his own or not. I have included links to this information in source.

I have helped 100’s of people both personally and professionally receive Social Security Disability Benefits and I have been on and off of it for many years myself.

I hope this helps, if you or he needs further clarification; feel free to email me and I will do what I can to ask any direct questions that you may have.

Michelle

AA in Liberal Arts
BA in Psychology
BA in Criminal Justice

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