Noteboom The Law Firm

Your Income and Expenses during a Trial Work Period

When you attempt a trial work period you are allowed to work for 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) during a 60-month period without fear of losing your benefits. A successful trial work period month is considered to be one where you earn at least $720 in income after expenses or where you work 80 hours or more in self employment.

Following a successful trial work period you enter what is known as a period of extended eligibility. During this 36-month period you can earn no more than $1,000 a month or you may lose your benefits. The amount reported as income that counts toward this limit may be reduced if you require special expenses to continue working.

Some expenses considered as being necessary to your working with a disability include transportation allowances (taxi fares, wheelchair needs), medications, and specialized work equipment. The costs of approved work-related expenses can be deducted from your gross income and therefore help you keep your benefits during the extended period of eligibility.

If you do lose your benefits during the 36 months but then later fall below the earning threshold or lose your job completely you may be able to reinstate your benefits without filing a new application. If you find difficulty in having your Social Security disability benefits reinstated a South Florida disability attorney may be able to help you fight for your entitled compensation.

The purpose of the trial work period is to allow disabled individuals to attempt to return to the workforce without risking loss of benefits when an attempt is unsuccessful. If you are considering attempting a trial work period you should discuss the matter with your South Florida disability attorney first to make sure you follow the proper reporting guidelines.

Contacting a South Florida Disability Attorney 

If you or your loved is 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 and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, 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.