Working Part-Time While Receiving Benefits
As any Panhandle disability lawyer can attest, it is often difficult to subsist and survive on disability benefits alone. They are often just enough, if that, to cover basic bills and needs. Many applicants find themselves struggling to make ends meet as they are unable to maintain employment due to a severe medical impairment. Lawyers are often confronted with various questions regarding whether a person receiving disability benefits may lawfully continue part-time employment to supplement income.
The key to avoiding loss of benefits is to not engage in a “substantially gainful activity.” This is a statutorily significant term that refers to any activity in which the employee is receiving a certain sum of money per month. Many disability recipients inquire as to whether they may work part-time out of their homes pursuing self-employment. While this scenario is possible, those who engage in part-time self-employment must be careful not to earn too much supplemental income to qualify their activity as substantially gainful for purposes of Social Security benefits. Recipients must also be careful not to work more than 80 hours per month or the Administration could determine that the individual has exceeded his or her “trial work period.”
Part-time income must be reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) by the tenth day of the month following the month being reported. Income must be reported each month and benefits recipients starting a business must notify the SSA promptly. When notifying the SSA of your intent to begin work, be sure to inquire what documentation is needed for reporting purposes. Clearly articulate that you are receiving disability benefits and not retirement benefits and always record the name and location of the person providing information.
As always, it is best to enlist the services of a Panhandle disability lawyer to help you with all aspects of your disability benefits claim. Feel free to contact our offices today for assistance with your benefits questions.
Michael V. McGrail
Wesley, McGrail & Wesley, PLLC
Okaloosa Social Security disability attorney
