Do You Have To Quit Work To Get Disability?

You are allowed to work and collect disability benefits, but only if you do not earn more than a certain amount each month, which the social security administration calls the substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount. The SGA is adjusted each year according to the current price/wage index, inflation, etc. The current SGA amount can be found at this page: substantial gainful activity, SGA.

Even if you have a documented medical condition that has caused you to earn substantially less each month, or to go from full to part-time work, you will not receive any form of disability benefits (under the social security disability insurance (SSDI), or supplemental security income (SSI) program) if you earn as much or more than the SGA.

In order to qualify for SSD or SSI, you must also be able to prove that your medical condition is ongoing, or expected to last for a period of not less than one year.

Some individuals misinterpret this requirement, believing that it means you must be out of work for 12 months before you can file for SSD. This is not the case, so if you suspect that, due to your impairment, your earnings have fallen below the SGA amount, you should definitely contact your local Social Security Administration office immediately.

The actual requirement is that your condition has lasted 12 months or is expected to last at least 12 months (you will need medical records to support this claim), and is not likely to improve over that amount of time, regardless of medical treatment.

Therefore, if you have been earning less than the SGA amount, and your physician expects that the severity of your impairment will remain unchanged, you may wish to file a claim to see if you qualify for social security disability or SSI.

Remember, you do not have to quit working, or to wait until you are no longer able to work to file for disability. In fact, it’s best to file for disability as soon as you possibly can, before your medical condition worsens or your financial condition deteriorates further. Just remember that, to have an application filed, if you're working your earnings cannot exceed the monthly limit for SGA.






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Social Security Disability Claim Secrets

Social Security Disability Benefits Questions