How much can I work before it affects my SSI?
What is an SSDI Work Activity Report?
I’m self-employed – can I receive Social Security Disability Insurance?
For self-employed persons, navigating the Social Security Insurance process can be daunting. These are some of the questions we hear often. The good news is that you can work and collect Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. We recently shared an article titled “Self-Employed Disability Benefits Explained” where we explained what benefits can you claim if you are self-employed as well as the substantial gainful activity (SGA) tests.
Disability recipients often find that they can perform some level of work if they have significant accommodations for their disabilities. Sometimes, doing part time work or starting a home-based business will allow an individual who suffers from disabilities that preclude full time work to supplement their income.
How much can I earn while on Social Security Disability?
When doing part time work, it’s important to know that earnings under $970 per month, gross won’t have an effect on your benefits. However, if you earn over that amount, you will eventually be taken off benefits.
What is a trial work period?
Benefits don’t end right away, you are allowed to have something called a trial work period, which means that you can earn significant income for nine months before you are taken off of benefits. Any month in which you earn over about $970 (this changes year by year, but for 2022 it was $970) will count as one of your nine months. By allowing a “trial” work period, it encourages people to make an attempt to work and gives them nine months to figure out if they will be able to continue at the job.
Resources for disability benefits for self-employed persons:
- The First Test is Significant Income
- Applying for Disability Benefits while self-employed
- Return to Work Test for Self-Employment Income
- Comparability Test for Self-Employed Persons
- U.S. Department of Labor – Small Business and Self-Employment
- What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) – SSA.gov
- SSA.gov § 404.1575. Evaluation guides if you are self-employed.
