? about working under SGA amount!

[Keke]

Does anybody here work a little and report it to SSA? Even though its under the SGA amount?

I sometimes work from home grading papers for a national testing service. Or I will go in the office and work. It is temporary/seasonal and I usually work 2-4weeks, 3-4 times a year.

Well, I called SSA to see how many trial work period months I have left and a week later I get a form in the mail saying Work CDR. I called the worker listed on the form and she said I was to inform them everytime I've worked and now they have to do a work cdr to see if I still qualify for SSDI. I was shocked because I thought SSA wanted us to work if we could and as long as we didnt make over $860, it was okay.

I know there are some months when I have gone over the $620, TWP amount, but wanted see how many months I had left. Now, I am so nervous because I dont know whats going to happen. I hope I still qualify because I need my benefits. The good thing about this job is I can work on as many projects for as long as I want. When I cant work because of pain, or depression, I just dont. It fits in with my issues. But.......I will never do it again if it will cause this much drama with my benefits.

Anybody else ever went through something like this? Ive been receiving benefits since 2/2005 but have been disabled since 2003.

KEKE

[steve3d]

You must report all your earning to SSA as required by law. The form they sent you was to verify that your work is under SGA. There is no reason to feel nervous about this. Just answer honestly. By the way, the SGA limit for 2007 is $900.00

[Keke]

steve3d,
thanks

[Samuel]

I think your concerns are justified.

Did you get work info when you were approved for SSDI?
A friend just got his social security disability welcome package and one of the manuals were very clear about working and SS.

In a nut shell, if you work more that X amount of days, you are no longer considered disabled by social security.
I can't find that info on the SS web site, but I would look in to it thoroughly before reporting any work to SS though.

[monicad1974]

Plus the more you work or are able to work the more you are going to be reviewed. It is considered if you can work 20 hours why can't you work 40? So do you really need to be disabled?

[hermit]

hi, in reality i think one should trust them as far as one can throw them, good luck on upcomeing CDR, an "becareful" what you say .

this just my opinion ofcourse, sincerly, hermit

[Cry Tears]

I've called the ssi office...spoke to 3 different people....each telling me different stories about their trial work period.....
I've been working one day a week...and report every penny. As long as I stay under $640 I'm OK. If I go over this amount for more than 3 months during a 5 year period they will take away one months check. After this I can make up to $900. If I stay under the $640 for 3 months or less in 5 years they do not touch my ssi.
If I go over that amount, then they take away one ssi check...after that I will be able to make $900 a month or less and my checks will not be touched.
I'm not making perfect sense....sorry.
I really shouldn't work because of my fatigue and pain.....
But it feels good to get out and help others.
I'm doing in home elderly care....very, very easy to do. Just make sure the elderly person is safe, gets meals and meds.
There are differing degree's of care....some cases are harder than others.
I go to this persons house at 9PM.....she's usually in bed by then...and I go to my "own room".....and sleep. But I do wake up and check on her often. I just must make sure she is safe during the night....in case house fire or what ever. I'm paid $11.50 an hour for this! Perfect job for me!
But some times its just hard for me to even drive to her place.
There's no place like home....specially when your bed is soft as marshmellows and you've got a down comforter!
Blessings, Cheryl
PS...call the 1-800 number for SSI...ask about work trial.
I dont think we should really fear trying.
And it could help you ease depression in helping others if you chose a "job" such as mine.

[DiMarie]

Some information I brought back from a work shop near Harrisburg Pa, from a person from Social security.

Trial work period threshold: "Disability" NOT RETIREMENT> NO AMOUNT EARNED AFFECTS RETIREMENT!
*Nine Full months
*wage threshold over $620 gross (2006)
*Self employed is Net earnings over $620 or 80 hours.
*months need not be consecutive
*Months must be in a 60-month period
*Full payment during trial work period.

You do have an offset for medical related expenses...the medications you need for your disability, if yoou need a special mouse, or voice software, also transportation needs to and from work are deducted out of your gross earnings.

SGA FOR 2006 was increased to $860 from 2005 $830, BUT in 2007 it will increase to $900!!!

Even if you work the trial work period, you have over the $620,(NOT Considered a Trial Month under $620!) under the $860, but are found NOT to have medical improvement, you can continue theoretically to receive full benefits.

If- Trial work months after the 9 months are reached, if full time employed and benefits stopped; if unable to work, you are in a speedy acccess to restart benefits any time in the 3 years to follow!

CDR- Even if you are found medical improved during the three year review, if you are in or become part of a vocational rehab traiing or other approved training that could lead to full time employment your checks will continue.

Pennsylvannia!:
MAWD:
If you are found medically improved and lose the medical portion of the medicare, you can apply through the medicaid for coverage and pay for it based on income need...The avg. is about $50 a month, more if higher earnings, less if lower earnings.

MAWD- Covers anything MA covers, deductables, if you can find a dentist or eye glass provider too.
* Be at least 16 years old but less then 65
*Be employed and receiving compensation
*Have a disability that meets SSA Standards
*Have countable income below 250% of Federal poverty Level
*Have up to $10,000 in countable resourses (Residence or automobile do not count)
* Disabilities include physical or developemental, mental health or mental retardation.

** contact your case worker or local county assistance office (CAO) for more information
or apply online at www.cmpass.state.pa.us

Section 301:Continued payment
Allows benefits to continue even after Medical cessation for those in approved VR plan.
* When medical review (CDR was initiated AND
*Approved vocational rehabilitation program AND
*Medical cessation
RED BOOK Page 34

Ticket to work updates:
You can read http://policy.ssa.gov/erm/rules.net

I am using my ticket to work, I have had no months of SGA since The begining of the year. I did not give the Ticket to work to voc rehab until August in which to provide me with a lap top and dictation software, and infra red mouse, etc.

I was not sent a CDR this year. I am earning about $450 *net a month working 10 hours a week. I have medical incidentives.

IF you are self employed and need someone to perhaps go onsite for measurements, or have a wife or other that cleans the office, does pick ups etc, this expense is deducted for the pay you give them.

If you are employed, and your employer understanding you disability has another do a portion of your job, and out of goodness you still receive full pay, the portion that is not being used by you, is deducted. IT is a generous thing to the employer to still give fulll wage and you are given a forgiveness of the portion earned you did not work for.

Also, If you are in a family business and they pay you a full salary, but you only work half time because of your illness, only the half you work for is counted.

In PA a new review process for the first denial in now ustilized. Before someon in the same office rubber stamped so to say the detrmination of the local worker...Now a Review committee in another seperate place reviews!

Check the ssa.gov website for Demostration projects in your own state. Oklahoma ahs DPN- disability program navigation
Florida- Florida Freedom Inititive FFI

There are Youth transition programs for those youth that receieved benftis in school now becoming adult age. They may wish to work a job.

Search for Diability Projects that are availbe in your state.

__________________
When I asked my attorney, who worked for social security about the $900, he said Potentially, if I earn under the $900 and take my Offsets too from the gross., and am deemed not to have medical imoprovement, I could be on the SSDI and receive my pay of the $900 together, no cuts.

But, it will come into play the question if I am working that much did I have medical improvement.

I have received one document so far from SSDI, prior to using my ticket to work they have me in the trial work program:
IThe letter stated I have not gained months toward SGA and have not had any medical improvement so far. That was Feb to August.