Navigating Social Security Disability benefits can feel overwhelming, but having the right information makes all the difference. Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about disability benefits, work incentives, and healthcare programs. This guide, brought to you by Disability Services of America, is designed to help you make informed decisions and understand how we can support you on your journey to greater independence.
Explore how working while receiving disability benefits can impact your Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Learn about earnings limits, work expenses that reduce countable income, and programs that encourage financial independence without jeopardizing your benefits.
As an SSI recipient, you likely know how difficult it can be to cover even basic expenses when SSI is your only source of income. The Social Security Administration (SSA) actively supports individuals with disabilities in achieving greater independence by encouraging and assisting them in exploring employment opportunities while protecting their benefits. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
RWE refers to costs related to a disability that allow you to work, such as specialized equipment or transportation. These expenses can reduce your countable income and help you maintain eligibility for disability benefits. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
SGA is the earnings threshold used to determine eligibility for disability benefits. For 2024, it is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. Discover the projected earning thresholds for 2025. Just click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
The Trial Work Period allows you to test your ability to work without losing benefits, regardless of earnings. Beyond that, income limits like SGA apply. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and decide to go back to work, your benefits may be affected. The details of how your benefits may be affected are complex and vary depending on which state or territory you live in. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
Understand how returning to work affects your Medicaid and Medicare coverage. This group explains essential healthcare provisions, including continued coverage after the Trial Work Period and during other transition periods.
Disability beneficiaries who have received SSDI benefits for at least 24 months are automatically enrolled in Medicare. Similar to how disability cash payments continue during the Trial Work Period (TWP), Medicare benefits remain intact while beneficiaries test their ability to work under the Ticket to Work (TTW) program. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
After the Trial Work Period, Medicare coverage can continue for at least 93 months if you still have a disabling condition. This is part of the Extended Period of Medicare Coverage. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you are eligible for Medicare after a waiting period of 24 months. Once you become eligible for Medicare, you can continue to receive it even if you begin working as long as your disabling condition continues. However, it’s essential to understand how your earnings may affect your benefits. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
These periods let you test your ability to work while keeping SSDI benefits. The Grace Period provides an additional safety net after the Trial Work Period ends. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
The EPE offers 36 months of benefit protection, allowing benefits to continue in months where earnings fall below SGA. The the Ticket to Work program provides flexibility and support so beneficiaries can make the transition into the workforce while maintaining their benefits. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
Discover how Social Security supports your return to work with career assistance programs like Ticket to Work. These questions cover employment opportunities, benefit protections, and individualized plans to help you succeed in the workforce.
Assigning your Ticket to Work protects your benefits while you explore career opportunities. Disability Services of America can guide you through the process. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but the Ticket to Work Program offers a risk-free way to test your readiness without losing benefits. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
The Ticket to Work Program offers various career paths and support services tailored to your abilities and interests. Click “READ MORE +” to explore career paths.
An IWP outlines the steps and services you’ll use to achieve your employment goals under the Ticket to Work Program. A voluntary federal initiative that helps Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who want to return to the workforce achieve greater financial independence by providing tailored employment support services and professional opportunities. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
Your SSDI check will continue during the Trial Work Period. Afterward, benefits may cease if earnings exceed SGA limits. Several key factors must be considered. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
Navigate key aspects of disability claims and eligibility, including understanding the differences between SSI and SSDI, appealing denied claims, and how benefit duration is determined when you return to work.
SSI is needs-based and SSDI is earned through work credits. Both programs provide support, but eligibility requirements and benefits vary significantly. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
A denied claim isn’t the end of the road. You can appeal, provide additional evidence, or seek assistance from experts like Disability Services of America. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
An RFC assessment evaluates how your disability impacts your ability to work. It plays a critical role in determining eligibility for SSDI. Click “READ MORE +” to explore Your SSDI Eligibility.
The answer depends on the amount of income you earn. Your benefits will continue during the Trial Work Period and may persist during the EPE if earnings stay below SGA. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
The SSA provides several programs to support your return to work while maintaining some or all of your benefits. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
Learn about Expedited Reinstatement (EXR), a crucial safety net that ensures your benefits can be quickly restored if your disability prevents you from continuing work.
EXR allows your benefits to restart if you stop working due to your disability within five years of losing benefits. This provides a safety net without requiring a new application. Click “READ MORE +” for additional information.
Disability Services of America is dedicated to simplifying SSA programs, guiding you through work incentives, and ensuring your benefits remain protected. Contact us today to learn more!
Our dedicated case managers are here to assist you. We’ll address your questions to ensure you’re well-prepared before returning to work. Feel free to complete our online contact form or give us a call to learn more.
