Tag Archives: Work | Employment

How much can I earn and keep my SSI?

This is a particularly tough question. I previously wrote about how earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity amount may cause your benefits to be stopped in Social Security Disability Insurance cases.  In SSI cases, I just learned that you can earn more than … Continue reading

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How Social Security reviews cases: the 5 step sequential evaluation process

I have written about how Social Security defines disability, work, and a substantial gainful activity. But, how does Social Security really evaluate a case? Social Security reviews cases using the five-step sequential evaluation process to decide is a person is … Continue reading

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How do unemployment benefits affect a Social Security disability claim?

How do unemployment insurance benefits affect a claim for Social Security disability benefits? Receiving unemployment benefits can be a problem if you have a claim for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because you are making … Continue reading

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Can I work and still receive Social Security disability or SSI benefits?

Updated 06/05/09. Can a person work and still receive Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits? The answer is a qualified “yes.” Social Security wants people to try to go back to work. But, the regulations surrounding keeping … Continue reading

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Trial work period and Social Security disability benefits

Social Security encourages you to try to go back to work to see if you can do it. A Trial Work Period (TWP) lets you work and still be considered disabled by Social Security. A beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may … Continue reading

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Should I work while waiting for my Social Security hearing?

The long wait for a Social Security hearing is a massive financial drain for most people.  With no money coming in, or just minimal state aid, a lot of people wonder how to pay for rent, utilities, and groceries.   … Continue reading

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Vocational Expert Voodoo

I was recently asked the following: I had my hearing today. The judge had a vocational rep come in to testify. He said I had two job options. … I live in a small town that probably does not offer the … Continue reading

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What if your doctor does not believe in you?

Your doctor’s opinion of your disability is critical evidence in your Social Security disability case. If your doctor does not believe in you, you and your lawyer are facing an uphill battle. Chances are, Social Security either sent you to … Continue reading

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What if I am earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity amount?

A number of people responded to my prior post about “substantial gainful activity” amounts. To briefly review: the general rule is that you cannot earn more than the substantial gainful activity amounts to be found disabled. What do I do … Continue reading

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Does Social Security consider all work a Substantial Gainful Activity?

Social Security defines disability as the inability to engage in a “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). A simplified way of putting this is to say that in order to be found disabled, you have to show that you are unable to … Continue reading

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How Social Security considers your ability to work in a disability case

Under Social Security regulations, disability is the inability to engage in a “substantial gainful activity.” This means that to win a Social Security disability case, you have to show that your impairments prevent you from being able to work. More … Continue reading

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Social Security basics: what is a “disability?”

In order to qualify for disability benefits under Social Security you have to be found disabled. Well, thank you Captain Obvious. Ok. But, what does it mean to be disabled? Is it enough to have a medical impairment? Is the … Continue reading

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