Protect Your SSA Benefits By Reporting All Income

If you receive Social Security disability payments, it is likely that you do not owe taxes unless you also have a job, such as one that you found through the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program. However, reporting all income and properly filing your taxes may prevent you from incurring certain penalties down the line.

The Wall Street Journal warns workers about the dangers of not reporting all income that is earned "off the books," or under the table. This practice may diminish your Social Security retirement payments or disability payments, or in some cases, disqualify you from receiving them altogether.

The SSA requires that you work a certain numbers of years, and pay a certain amount of taxes, before you can receive SSA payments. Your monthly check is affected by the number of months that you worked. If the SSA does not know how much you worked, you will not receive credits for those months.

In order to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) you must have worked for at least 10 years-paying Social Security taxes-in order to qualify for monthly payments. Underreporting your income, or not filing at all, can greatly affect your ability to collect SSA benefits later in life.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.