New Legislation Aimed at Increasing Work Opportunities for SSDI Recipients

If you are planning to seek Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or if you are currently receiving them, it is critical to understand what type and amount of work you are permitted to perform for pay without losing your SSDI payments. There are options for what is currently known as a “trial work period,” but that trial work period lasts only a limited time. As recent reports point out, lawmakers in Congress are considering potential legislation that would increase the amount of work that Social Security disability recipients can perform without risking the loss of their benefits.

New congressional measures have been crafted that would allow Social Security disability recipients to receive adjusted benefit amounts based on the amount of work they perform in addition to extending other work-related rules. What should you know? A national SSDI lawyer at our firm can tell you more, and we are here to help if you have questions about working while receiving SSDI payments.

Current Laws and Returning to Work with SSDI Benefits 

In order to understand why many SSDI recipients are hoping that Congress will amend existing laws concerning Social Security disability and work eligibility, it is essential to understand what the Social Security Administration (SSA) currently requires and permits (work-wise) for a disabled person receiving disability benefits.

To be eligible for SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must have a disabling medical condition that is expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death, and it must prevent you from engaging in what the SSA calls “substantial gainful activity” (or SGA). SGA is measured by an amount, and for any disabled person who is not blind, the 2024 amount is $1,550 per month.

There is something known as a “trial work period,” where you can earn an income for a total of 9 months, and potentially a 36-month period of “extended period of eligibility” (or EPE), but you cannot earn more than $1,550 per month during the EPE.

Potential New Legislation to Expand Work Options 

Lawmakers recognize that the trial work period as it currently exists may not be practical for all Social Security disability recipients, and many SSDI and SSI recipients who want to consider working in some capacity are concerned about losing their benefits.

Potential legislation would allow SSI recipients to save more money while remaining eligible, and would allow adults who became disabled at age 21 or younger to consider work in some capacity. In addition, proposed legislation would allow more expansive return to work options in certain cases and would have the SSA adjust the SSDI amount for the recipient based on earnings.

Contact Our National SSDI Benefits Attorneys 

While no legislation has yet been passed by Congress to change the way Social Security disability benefits eligibility is impacted by working, there are efforts underway. If you are likely to be impacted by potential changes to the law, it is important to continue following news about possible legislative action. In the meantime, if you need help taking advantage of the “trial work period” or seeking EPE, one of the experienced national SSDI benefits lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can help you. We assist Social Security disability recipients nationwide. Contact us today for more information.

Sources:

congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6428/text

wsbtv.com/news/washington-news-bureau/lawmakers-working-legislation-that-would-allow-social-security-recipients-work-more/TX6LCRN4NRHAHAPZIR2RCRXSLI/