Dear Jonathan, I had a question posted several months ago concerning working full-time after being granted SSDI, and I had another related question. I’m currently working full-time as a computer programmer, which is the type of job I had previously. If I were to stop working again because of health reasons, and return to SSDI, would the social security taxes I’ve paid in the past year result in an increase to my SSDI benefits, or would the amount remain the same? Thank you.
–Morris
Jonathan Ginsberg responds: Morris, good to hear from your again, and thanks for the question. Here are my thoughts:
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if you are working again after being found disabled, you can collect your regular income for 9 months without affecting your disability pay. This is called the 9 month trial work period.
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after the nine months, you go into an extended trial work period for 36 months. During any month during that 36 month period where your earnings drop below the substantial gainful activity limit, you will recieve a disability check for that month.
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I believe that if you have added earnings to your record, the rolling period of eligibiltiy (date first insured and date last insured) will adjust as would your benefit amount. I am not aware of any provision in the law that prevents additional earnings from increasing your SSDI benefits, but I have not ever seen this question posed. If anyone reading this has a different opinion, or, Morris, if you discover the answer one way or the other, please let me know.
[tags] trial work period, earnings after disability award, extended trial work period, Social Security disability [/tags]