Brian Forsythe, Benefits Specialist, Resource Partnership
One of the most common questions we get from individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits is “How much can I earn before I lose my benefits?” The answer requires an understanding of both the SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) work rules.
If you receive SSI and return to work, your check will be reduced based on how much you earn. The formula Social Security uses is as follows: the first $65.00 you earn is not counted; this is called the Earned Income Exclusion. If you only collect SSI then Social Security will subtract an additional $20.00; this is called General Income Exclusion. Then, for every $2.00 you earn your SSI check will be reduced by $1.00 until your check reaches $0. The amount of earnings this represents depends on how much you receive on SSI. For example, in 2007 the monthly amount you are entitled to receive is as follows:
If you receive SSDI your check will remain unchanged until you have exhausted your 9-month Trial Work Period and are earning more than Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). For 2007 SGA is $900.00 per month for non-blind individuals or $1,500.00 per month for blind individuals.
At this point I would be remiss if I did not explain a bit about the Trial Work Period (TWP). TWP allows you to attempt working without losing your benefits. You are allowed to earn as much as you want and keep your benefit check for the first 9 months that you work (these are cumulative months; not consecutive months). Social Security will not count any month toward your TWP until you earn at least $640.00 gross; there is no upper earnings limit during TWP.
For more information on how working may affect your Social Security benefits, contact Brian Forsythe, Benefits Specialist at brian@resourcepartnership.org or 508-647-1722 ext. 14.
February 2007
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