Reduction or Stop?

[Fred17]

I did a search but couldn't find an answer.

I'm getting $2100 disability benefits a month after a stroke and just started working part time now. I know that the 1st 9 months we can make any amount and the disability payment is not affected; but I make a little more than the allowed per month ($1550 for 2024), so after 9 months I am curious what happens. Do they reduce it by the amount the part time work brings in?

I'd like to hear personal stories on how much your SSD benefits were reduced OR if they stopped.

Thank You

 

[Provis]

I did a search but couldn't find an answer.

I'm getting $2100 disability benefits a month after a stroke and just started working part time now. I know that the 1st 9 months we can make any amount and the disability payment is not affected; but I make a little more than the allowed per month ($1550 for 2024), so after 9 months I am curious what happens. Do they reduce it by the amount the part time work brings in?

I'd like to hear personal stories on how much your SSD benefits were reduced OR if they stopped.

Thank You

It will stop. Also, if you started working you are supposed to report it to SSA regardless of how much you earn.

 

[Fred17]

It will stop. Also, if you started working you are supposed to report it to SSA regardless of how much you earn.

Thanks for the reply. Yes its being reported. Are you saying "it will stop" based on the numbers I gave? So it doesnt matter if you're making less than the disability payment?

 

[Provis]

Thanks for the reply. Yes its being reported. Are you saying "it will stop" based on the numbers I gave? So it doesnt matter if you're making less than the disability payment?

So that 1550 number is not the number you should be looking at. Your income while reciving SSDI is above the amount to count as putting you in the trial work program. See below.

During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits on the basis of his or her own earnings history may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. We do not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2023, any month in which earnings exceed $1,050 is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2024, this monthly amount increases to $1,110. The trial work period does not apply to SSI benefits.

 

[Fred17]

So that 1550 number is not the number you should be looking at. Your income while reciving SSDI is above the amount to count as putting you in the trial work program. See below.

During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits on the basis of his or her own earnings history may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. We do not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2023, any month in which earnings exceed $1,050 is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2024, this monthly amount increases to $1,110. The trial work period does not apply to SSI benefits.

Thank you for the response. Yes, the trial work period will end after 9 months, then you have to look at that 1550 number. Im curious if anyone experienced a reduction or a stop when making over the monthly income max

 

[Provis]

Thank you for the response. Yes, the trial work period will end after 9 months, then you have to look at that 1550 number. Im curious if anyone experienced a reduction or a stop when making over the monthly income max

Your chances are very high that it could end especially if you hit over the 1550 number even once.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

If you return to work while receiving SSDI benefits, Social Security will determine if you're "engaging in substantial gainful activity" (SGA). Basically, that means working more than a few hours a week. The biggest factor in determining if work activity qualifies as SGA is the amount you're paid for your work.

In 2024, someone is generally considered to be engaging in SGA if they earn more than $1,550 a month ($2,590 for blind SSDI recipients).