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How does a return to work affect SSD benefits?

On Behalf of | Aug 5, 2015 | Social Security Disability, Social Security Disability

As discussed in this blog last week, Georgia residents and those around the country recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many individuals have benefited from the ADA and continue to rely on its protections for those with a disability.

Disabled individuals still are in need of assistance in other areas, however, including when applying for and maintaining Social Security disability benefits. There are many misconceptions about who is eligible for disability benefits and how those benefits interact with a person’s inability to work.

One common misconception is that individuals cannot receive SSD benefits the moment they return to work. In reality, there are special rules that make it possible for certain individuals to continue receiving disability benefits while returning to work.

Even if a person is not eligible to continue receiving benefits after returning to work, the individual may be able to have their benefits start in the event they are no longer able to continue working. This means the person can avoid having to go through an entirely new application process.

The Social Security Administration also has programs available for those who would like to return to work, including vocational rehabilitation, training and job referrals. There are also incentives that may apply for those who return to work, such as continued cash benefits for a period of time or continued Medicare or Medicaid.

Ultimately, each case is different, and individuals should understand how their benefits will be impacted by a return to work. There are also different rules between Social Security and SSI, so it is important to understand these differences and how they will apply in a particular case.

Source: Social Security Administration, “Working while disabled – how we can help,” accessed on Aug. 2, 2015

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