For many beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), August brings important news: a new monthly income limit that could affect your check payment. If you receive this benefit, it's essential that you know how much you can earn from working without losing it.
The limit you can't exceed
The key point is this: to keep receiving your Social Security disability check, you must not earn more than $1,620 per month from working. This figure is known as the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. It's the maximum income that the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows to keep your benefits.
If your income consistently exceeds this amount, SSA may conclude that you no longer have a disability that prevents you from working and, therefore, will suspend your payments.
Who has different limits?
Not all beneficiaries have the same limit. For example, if you are legally blind, you can earn up to $2,590 per month and still receive your check without any issues.
In addition, there is a temporary relief called the Trial Work Period. For 9 months, you can exceed the income limit and still keep your benefits. This allows you to gradually return to work without fear of losing financial support.
The importance of reporting your income
Not reporting your income correctly can bring serious consequences. SSA conducts audits and reviews to verify your income. If they discover that you didn't report everything or exceeded the limits without notifying them, they may suspend your payments and require you to return the money received.
That's why it's vital that you report any change in your employment or income. Keep a detailed record, save receipts, and respond to all notifications you receive from SSA.
Working and keeping your benefits: is it possible?
Yes, it's possible to work and keep receiving your Social Security check. The key is not to exceed the monthly income limit. You can work part-time or have jobs with variable income, as long as the average doesn't exceed $1,620 (or $2,590 if you are blind).
However, keep in mind that a single month with higher income can trigger an automatic review of your case and put your benefit at risk.
To avoid problems, report any employment change to SSA. You can do this online, by phone, or by visiting a local office. In addition, SSA offers individualized assessments to determine how much you can earn according to your particular situation.