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Working while on disability?

Redsgal21
Redsgal21
I know a few of you said you still can work while on disability. If you could post that information again I'd appreciate it. I saw my lawyer after getting denied the first time and she said the appeal process can take 4 months before I hear a decision and if we lose the appeal then we go to court.

At this point in time I'm thinking about forcing myself to work a few hours a week. I don't know how people get by. There's no other assistance available for me. I can't collect unemployment because I'm not healthy enough to work but I got denied disability because I'm supposedly healthy enough to work. So frustrating.
Redsgal21
Redsgal21
The lawyer said she's not going to tell me I can't work but if I start working a few hours a week you would think that would hurt my chances of winning the appeal.
Desigol1979
Desigol1979
In UK you can keep Disability Living Allowance even if you're working full time. However, the full time jobs I had triggered my social anxiety and I was fired from both of them.
dancingd
dancingd
I was working 15 hours a week , at 10.50 an hour, and still got SSDI.

Important to have a strongly worded letter from your Pdoc , that you are unable to work more than a minimum hours per week
spacekat
spacekat
Go with dd's advice: Yes, you can work a certain number of hours or earn a certain amount of money and still get SSDI. I was told I could earn about $1000/month and still get SSDI. However, as dd said, you need a STRONG letter from your pdoc stating that you cannot work more than "____" many hours.
dobiedots
dobiedots
I'm sure there is a certain amount of work related income that you cannot go over. I just retired and I'm allowed to make $13,500 in addition to my retirement benefits.
My husband is on disability and would like a part time job but he's afraid they'll cut his benefits. I'm sure it works the same way as retirement benefits. You can only make so much over your amount.
Did I tell him to call the Social Security office and find out? Yes I did.
Did he do it? No. Why? Beats me. I'm going to call myself on Monday. It's a simple phone call w/o all this fussing.
beckyp
beckyp
When I first started working while being on SSDI they sent me a letter asking what my last 3 Dr.'s appointments were and that they may review my case. Well, my last 3 visits were to my pdoc and they didn't give me a review. I've been working for 3 1/2 years 20 hours a week and still receive my SSDI.

There is a limit as to how much you can make in a month, it used to be 720.00, but it went up to around 760.00. You can find the exact amount online.
bbipolar
bbipolar
It depends on how much you can make working. I can't work right now because I'm too sick, but I went to SS office and was told I can make up to and not a penny beyond $1,070 a month. I want to get a job working 2 days a week, but I'm terrified of being fired again. I tried substitute teaching and got fired from 4 schools in between Sept and Feb. Too much stress. Even ended up at wrong school on several occasions. Can't take the disappointment of another rejection right now.
spacekat
spacekat
At one point, I wanted to go back to work and was told I would still receive benefits - the Working while on SSDI program. Now I can't work at all. Too much going on in my head.
jimgreg
jimgreg
I was working a full time job when they awarded me..took me 10 yrs to get ssdi..now they have up to 6 monthes..my back pay and I got back for both ssi and my ssdi ball park 11,000. if you keep working they wont take anything till you reach what you gross? say you earn 1500.00 a month. Anything after the 1500.00 they take $ for$ that's how it was in 06..good luck
Halterbroke
Halterbroke
I'm pretty sure the SSD program is called "ticket to work" if you want to try and work. I'd check their website. I had a part time job years ago, less than 20 hours a week and minumum wage, and they immediately reviewed me after I got the job. I don't really know if the two things were related looking back on it, because I was recently reviewed again after six years and I haven't been working.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
I wish disability weren't so friggin complicated. I am trying to figure out a solution to my upcoming medical leave due to cancer and surgery and I don't think there's much I can do except withdraw from my 401k, which is not wise since I can't afford to contribute to it since being laid off from my last job.
Misssy2
Misssy2
My understanding is that you are trying to prove that you are unable to do ANY job in order to qualify for SSDI. I am in the same boat.

I don't know why your lawyer isn't stressing the fact that is probably important NOT to work right now during the appeal process and anytime AFTER you get approved..if you want to attempt small hours of work than ok. This is what I was told by my lawyer.

However, I am fortunate enough to have some income as I go thru the process....when it runs out I would probably turn to my 401K. Your in a tough, tough spot and my heart honestly bleeds for you and your situation.
Redsgal21
Redsgal21
Misssy2, that's what I thought. That if I started forcing myself to work a few 2 hour shifts they would say oh well you can do some type of work. I'm financially screwed and will probably end up having to include my car in my bankrupcty. I haven't worked since May.
MayB
MayB
I think getting SS these days is such a crap shoot as others have pointed out.

I left my job so I could commit suicide at home. I went to the ER and got hospitalized. A year later I got SSDI.

I'm now on a ticket to work program and I have a job that I'm going to stay with for the time being.

I think it would hurt your chances of getting SS if you worked prior to getting it.
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