Living with a serious medical condition can present certain challenges. Whether a person is suffering from a disability due to a condition that person was born with, an illness acquired later in life or an injury that occurred at some point in life, the reality is that living with a disability can impact a person’s life in many ways. One area is work. The inability to work or make a livable income can present financial hardships, which is why many people seek Social Security Disability benefits.
Can you work and receive SSD benefits? Typically, eligibility for SSD benefits means that a person is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity because of a qualifying medical condition. However, this does not mean that people cannot work at all. It is still possible to earn a small amount of income while receiving disability payments.
Working in a limited capacity will not impact a person’s SSD benefits, so long as the work activity follows the rules set under work incentives. This typically means that a recipient is making less than $880 a month from employment. If this is the case, disability benefits are likely to continue. If money is spent on job-related activities, this can be subtracted from a person’s monthly income. This can help qualify a person that otherwise would not be eligible to maintain their SSD benefits.
Social Security disability benefits can provide much for those living with a disability; however, many applicants are initially denied. This can cause some frustration, but this should not deter one from considering their available options to secure these benefits. A legal professional could help guide one through the application, reconsideration and appeal process, ensuring one’s rights are protected along the way.
