Attempting a Trial Work Period While Receiving Disability Benefits

When you are receiving Social Security disability benefits you may enter what is known as a trial work period to assess your ability to return to work without fear of losing your benefits. Before you begin such employment, you should consult with a South Florida disability attorney to make sure you fully understand the circumstances involved in a trial work period.

Basics of a Trial Work Period

The Ticket to Work program regulated by the Social Security Administration strives to make it as simple as possible for disabled persons to attempt to return to work. You must inform the SSA when you start and stop working, as well as the reasons for why you ceased working.

During a trial work period you are allowed to continue receiving your full Social Security disability benefit amount while you work. A successful trial work month is considered to be any month where you earn $720 or more (after expenses) or you spend more than 80 hours self employed.

You may spend up to 9 months qualifying as a trial work period within a 60-month period before your trial work period is ended. After your trial work period, you will have 36 months known as the extended period of eligibility where you may still work and receive benefits if during any month your earnings fall below $1,000 (the amount considered substantial as of 2010).

How Your Income Affects Your Social Security Disability Benefits

There is no limit to the amount of income you can earn during a trial work period, except for the $1,000 threshold during the extended period of eligibility. If your income surpasses the $1,000 mark during the extended period of eligibility you may lose your benefits. However, expenses related to your work may be deducted from your reported income, therefore helping you keep your benefits.

A South Florida disability attorney can help you review your income situation and work expenses and assess the proper deductions to your Social Security disability benefits claim. Expenses can include transportation assistance, medication needs, personal attendants, and specialized work equipment.

If you lose your job or are unable to continue working at any time during the regular 9-month trial work period your benefits remain unaffected. If you had a decrease or end to your benefits in the 36-month extended period of eligibility your South Florida disability attorney can help you contact the SSA to get your benefits reinstated.

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.

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