If I am working, can I still get Social Security Disability benefits?

Possibly. To be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you cannot do “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). If you have enough work to qualify for SSD benefits, the Social Security Administration uses a step-by-step process involving five questions to determine if you have a qualifying disability. The first question is:

1. Are you working?

SSA generally uses earnings guidelines to evaluate whether your work activity is SGA. If you were working in 2022 and your earnings averaged more than $1,350 ($2,260 if you’re blind) a month, you generally were not considered to have a qualifying disability.

If you are not working or are working but not performing SGA, SSA will send your application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office that will make the decision about your medical condition. You can read about this at this page. The DDS uses Steps 2-5 below to make the decision.

In 2023, the maximum income that applicants can receive from their work and still be eligible for benefits is $1,470.00 for SSDI applicants and non-blind SSI applicants. Blind SSDI applicants can earn up to $2,460 a month and still be eligible. There is no SGA limit for blind SSI applicants. If you have income that is greater than the SGA limits, you could lose your benefits.

If you have more questions about how to obtain SSD benefits, give us Dan a call at (610) 446-3457 or click here to send us an email.