Can I Work While on Disability?

The common definition of Social Security Disability you hear is saying that you are too disabled to work. However, a more accurate definition could be saying that you are too disabled to do significant work. Every year, Social Security sets a specific amount that they call Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you are making more than this amount, you are engaging in SGA and are not eligible for Social Security Disability. However, if you are making less than this amount, you are not engaging in SGA and are therefore, still eligible for Disability. In 2015, Social Security set the SGA amount for non-blind individuals at $1090 gross monthly income. This means that a non-blind individual may work while on Disability so long as he is not making more than $1090 a month before taxes.

Some may believe this is wrong letting people claiming to be disabled work in addition to their Disability benefits. However, this is actually Social Security being very reasonable with their rules. Most people on Disability actually want to work, but cannot work enough to support themselves. Allowing them to work part-time allows individuals to keep a sense of independence while also supplementing their Disability payments. As I have stated in previous posts, Social Security Disability payments are usually a very modest amount averaging $1,165 a month in 2015. No one is going to get rich working part-time while being on Disability.

You must be careful when working while on Disability. Making too much money can affect your case causing you to become ineligible for Disability benefits. Each case is different, so do not take the above information as legal advice. To get actual advice for your specific claim, you should contact Social Security or a Social Security Disability attorney.