Q: If I go back to work, will I automatically lose my Social Security disability benefits?
A: No, Social Security has several work incentive programs to help people who want to work. You might be able to receive monthly benefits and continue your health care coverage during a trial work period. For information about Social Security’s work incentives and how they can help you return to work, you should:
• Visit our special work site at www.socialsecurity.gov/work;
• See the Red Book on work incentives at www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook; or
• Check out our publications at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs and type “work” in the search box.
For more information, go online to www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Q: If I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, what is the effect on my benefits if I work?
A: In most cases, your return to work would reduce your benefit amount. Unlike Social Security disability, there is no “trial work period” for people who get SSI disability benefits.
If your only income besides SSI is from your work, you can earn up to $1,505 in a month (in 2013) before we stop your payments. We have several publications about SSI, including “Reporting Your Wages When You Receive Supplemental Security Income,” available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Type the title of the publication into the publication search box on the left side of the page.
Note that there are other work incentives that can help you return to work when you receive SSI. You can read about them in “What You Need To Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI),” also available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Send questions to Robert Fenn, Social Security Administration, Second Floor, Federal Building, 2 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308. Fax: 330-375-5616 or e-mail: Robert.Fenn@ssa.gov