When a person is no longer able to work due to a physical or mental condition, it could be grounds to seek disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. The intent of these benefits is to provide a way for people with certain types of illnesses, physical limitations and mental disabilities to have a source of income. It is not always easy to secure these benefits, even with a valid medical reason.
You may qualify for disability benefits, but you still may not be sure that these payments will be enough to support you and allow you to meet all of your needs. For this reason, you may seek to work a limited number of hours per week, but what will this mean for your disability eligibility? It is in your interests to learn more about specific eligibility requirements.
Working and remaining eligible
According to standards set forth by the Social Security Administration, a person must be unable to maintain substantial gainful activity in order to qualify for disability benefits. That may make it seem like you can’t work at all, but it is likely that you can still earn a little income while keeping your benefits. Before you get a job or find new employment, you will want to learn about certain limits you will need to follow.
One of the most important considerations for working while you are on disability benefits is to be mindful of the amount of money you are earning. If you go over a certain amount, it will affect your ability to continue receiving these benefits. If you make less than $880 per month, you will likely be able to keep your financial support from the SSA.
Deducting certain expenses
If you spend money on disability-related needs for your job, you may be able to subtract those costs from your income. This is another way that you can continue working while keeping your disability benefits. For example, if your sickness requires that you pay for rideshare or taxis to get to work instead of walking or using public transportation, you could be deduct these costs from your income.
Get the right information
It is critical that you have the right information regarding your Social Security benefits. You do not want to do anything that may compromise your ability to get what you need to support yourself. If you have questions about your eligibility or working while you receive disability payments, you may find it helpful to discuss your needs with an experienced West Virginia attorney.