To receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must meet specific criteria. If you are earning money, you can only make up to a certain amount to still qualify for benefits. For most people, how many hours you work doesn’t count as much as how much you earn per month on SSDI.
If you’re having trouble with your application or aren’t sure what you can do while on SSDI, you can always contact a Georgia Social Security Disability attorney. Our firm offers a free initial consultation to help you better understand what we can do for you.
An injured woman working in an office. You may still qualify for SSDI if you are working part-time.
What Is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
To decide whether you deserve benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine whether you’re engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA means:
- You are earning more than a certain monthly amount (minus disability-related work costs).
- For 2022, the SGA amount is $1,350 per month. For blind individuals, the SGA is $2,260 per month. This is the maximum amount you can make on disability in 2022.
- It’s essential to check the SGA each year, as it can increase.
Most of the time, how much you earn matters more than how many hours you work while on SSDI. However, there are exceptions.
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When Do Work Hours Matter for SSDI?
If you earn more than $1,350 per month, the SSA considers you to be “self-supporting.” Hours are not usually what the SSA looks at if you’re on SSDI. However, the hours you work might matter if:
- You are self-employed.
- You are the head of a business, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation.
How Many Hours Can You Work on Disability if You’re Self-Employed?
When you work for yourself, you can work hours without receiving an hourly wage. In that case, the SSA will look at how many hours you’ve worked, plus your monthly income.
Social Security typically allows up to 45 hours of work per month if you’re self-employed and on SSDI. That comes out to around 10 hours per week. The SSA will also see whether or not you’re the only person working for your business. You must not be earning SGA, along with not working too many hours.
How Many Hours Can You Work on Disability if You Work for Someone Else?
If you are not self-employed, the number of hours you work is less important. Generally, your monthly income matters most for your disability eligibility. However, working too many hours could affect your case.
For example, maybe you’re working close to full-time hours even though you don’t earn over $1,350 per month. The SSA might consider you able to work a full-time job and deny you benefits. It will be harder to convince Social Security that you’re disabled if you can work many hours.
How Does Social Security Track My Hours Worked While on SSDI?
If you’re self-employed and on SSDI, the SSA will use one of two tests to see if you’re earning SGA:
- The Countable Income Test
- The Three Tests.
Which test the SSA uses will depend on work details like when you started your business and how long you’ve been on SSDI.
Countable Income Test
The SSA will use the Countable Income Test if:
- You’ve been on SSDI for over two years.
- You start freelance work or a small business.
The SSA will look at your countable income and any significant services you’re providing.
Countable Income
Countable income is what you earn based on your own work. The SSA will take your net earnings and deduct any:
- Disability-related work costs
- Unpaid help from family members or other people
- Business support someone provides to you at no charge (“unincurred business expenses“)
Significant Services
The SSA will also look to see if you are providing vital services to your business. If you’re the only person working on your business, your services are already significant. If you didn’t work on your business, no one would.
If you have more than one person working for your business, the SSA considers your services as significant if:
- You work over half of the total time necessary to manage your business
- You work over 45 hours per month, managing the business
If your countable income is over SGA, you will no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits. There is one exception. If you can show that you are not providing significant services, you can earn over SGA and still qualify.
The Three Tests
If you have been receiving SSDI for less than two years, the SSA will use the Three Tests for your situation.
Here are the three tests:
- Significant services and substantial income test
- Comparability test
- Worth of work test
If any of the three tests show that you’re earning SGA, you will not get SSDI benefits.
1. Significant Services and Substantial Income Test
We’ve covered what significant services mean above. This test looks at whether you are providing significant services and making a substantial income.
Your business income is substantial if your countable income is over SGA or your average countable income is not over SGA but what you get from your business is comparable to:
- Your livelihood before your disability
- The lives of non-disabled people in your community with the same type of business
It can be harder to qualify for benefits if the SSA uses this test. If you feel that the results were unfair, contact a Social Security Disability lawyer.
2. Comparability Test
The SSA will consider you to be earning SGA if your work activity is similar to what non-disabled people in your community do in the same business type. The SSA will look at details like:
- How many hours you work
- Skills
- Duties
- Work efficiency and output
- Work responsibilities
This test can also be tough, and you may need to show certain evidence. An SSD attorney from our firm can help.
3. Worth of Work Test
Social Security might consider your work to be SGA if:
- Your business is obviously worth over SGA in value
- Your business is worth over SGA versus what you’d pay someone else to do your work duties
If you do not pass any of the SSA tests, you could be denied benefits or lose your current benefits.
In general, how many hours you work while on SSDI does not matter too much. For most employed people, the SSA will look at your monthly income instead. But if you are self-employed, you will need to pay attention to your work hours.
How Can a Social Security Disability Attorney Help You?
You do not need to hire a lawyer to apply for social security disability benefits. If you prefer, you can apply for SSDI benefits on your own. However, it may be in your best interests to have knowledgeable experts on your side. When you work with an attorney, you will benefit in several ways.
A Better Application
Getting your much-needed social security disability benefits can be tricky. If your initial application is incomplete or contains errors, you may be denied the benefits you rightfully deserve. While you can appeal the decision, it will mean unnecessary delays.
Our lawyers can review your case to determine your onset date of disability, or the date when you became unable to work at your full capacity. We will build a strong case to prove that your condition meets the Social Security blue book requirements. While you may want to include everything you think is related to your condition, we recommend that you only showcase the most compelling evidence.
An attorney with social security disability experience can simplify the application process for you. Your lawyer will ensure that your application contains all the information necessary, including medical documents and other supporting evidence. Working with our team of social security disability attorneys increases the odds of your application being accepted the first time.
Streamlined Appeals
It’s understandable that you may feel discouraged if you are refused social security benefits. However, it’s possible for an application to be denied multiple times. A social security disability lawyer can help you with your appeal.
Our team at John Foy & Associates can ask your doctor for their professional medical opinion, gather any relevant documents, and submit a statement to the Administrative Law Judge. We can also help you prepare for your hearing with commonly asked questions the judge may pose to you.
Effective Testimony
You may be intimidated by the prospect of speaking at your social security disability hearing. We will explain what to expect at your hearing and coach you on how to give effective testimony. We may even cross-examine doctors or other expert witnesses who can attest to your diminished ability to work.
Your attorney will assist you with each step of your case. Whether you have questions about how many hours you can work on social security, or how much you can make on disability in 2022, we can help. Our law firm works tirelessly to ensure that you receive the benefits you need.
Talk to a Social Security Disability Lawyer for Free Today
Many disabled individuals struggle to get the SSDI benefits they deserve. If you are worried about losing benefits or not qualifying, talk to Georgia Social Security Disability lawyers John Foy & Associates. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to help you with your SSDI case.
Contact us today for a FREE, no-risk consultation. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case. Call us or contact us online to get started for FREE.
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