Unfortunately, you may have been involved in a catastrophic accident or otherwise received a devastating medical diagnosis that will leave you debilitated for the foreseeable future. One of the things you may miss the most is the routine of clocking into work and the pride you felt in contributing to the workforce. So as you slowly but surely recover and feel more up to resuming your previously enjoyed daily activities, you may want to return to work. With this, though, your concern may lay in whether or not you can continue your eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits at this time. Well, without further ado, please continue reading to learn whether you are allowed to work while collecting SSDI benefits and how an experienced New Jersey SSDI benefits lawyer at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you stay protected in this situation.
Am I allowed to work while collecting SSDI benefits?
In short, you may be allowed to work while collecting SSDI benefits so long as you stay under the substantial gainful activity limit. As of 2024, this limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals.
You should note the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) trial work period program. With this opportunity, you may be allotted nine months to test your ability to work without sacrificing your monthly SSDI benefits payments. Of note, there is no limit on how much you can earn during these nine months. Further, as of 2024, any month you earn more than $1,110 before taxes count towards your trial work period.
Lastly, after this nine-month trial work period, you may be granted an additional 36 months of an extended period of eligibility. This means that you may still work and collect SSDI benefits simultaneously. Importantly, the limits of $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals apply during this time.
Is my employer allowed to ask if I collect SSDI benefits?
You may be hesitant to apply for jobs again now with your disability. Specifically, you may worry about prospective employers asking about your health condition, asking about your collecting of government benefits, and more.
Well, you may rest easier knowing that federal and state employment laws generally restrict employers from asking these types of questions. That is, during the interview, they cannot ask about your disability or require you to produce medical documents. They may only ask disability-related questions if they do so for every applicant and if it is relevant to the necessary functions of the job position.
With that being said, you should feel comfortable disclosing your condition and your SSDI benefits collections at any point of the application process. This is so an employer may prepare job accommodations for you, as required by federal and state laws, promptly.
There is a lot to consider before pursuing work activity and/or SSDI benefits. To help you make the right considerations, please consult with a skilled New Jersey SSDI benefits lawyer. Our team at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur will guide you toward the best decision.
