Social Security benefits may not be forever. Sometimes, the Administration stops sending payments. This happens if a recipient is found to be ineligible. There are very many reasons why someone can lose their monthly benefits in the United States.
For example, if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, you may lose payments. This will happen if you overcome your condition. If this happens in April, you will not receive your next May payments.
Going back to work while on Social Security disability insurance
You will keep getting SSDI in most cases. But, going back to work may make you lose your Social Security payments. So, if you go back to work full-time and exceed the threshold, you may lose disability benefits.
Of course, you could join the Ticket to Work Program. It has many advantages for SSDI recipients. Do not forget that you must report SSA if you go back to work or your condition improves.
In this way, you can avoid overpayments. Having to give money back to Social Security is not something pleasant. Anyway, there are more ways to lose your monthly payments.
Why would someone on Social Security Disability Insurance lose their payments? It happens if they go back to work.
People on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) could lose payments by returning to work. This is due to work incentives. They aim to support working again. Here are the key incentives:
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Trial Work Period (TWP): Beneficiaries get nine months to test their work ability. They can earn up to $970 monthly without losing benefits. After this period, they need to earn below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. Otherwise, benefits stop.
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Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Beneficiaries must earn less than the SGA level after the TWP. This level varies with work hours. Earning more could stop benefits.
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Expedited Reinstatement: If benefits stop due to work, beneficiaries can quickly restart if disabled again.
It’s crucial for those considering work to understand these incentives. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers support.
Social security benefits after incarceration
Not only can you lose SSDI benefits, but you can also lose retirement or SSI benefits if you go to jail. If a person is on Social Security, they will suspend payments if you go to prison for 30 continuous days.
If you are collecting SSI payments, the Administration will stop sending checks while you are in prison. SSA confirms that you could get payments back once you leave the prison in many cases.
If your spouse and children qualify for benefits on your record, they may continue receiving them if still eligible. Those who get SSI but go to jail for more than 12 months in a row must file again.
What is the Ticket to Work Program and how does it benefit SSDI recipients?
The Ticket to Work Program is free and voluntary.The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers this program. It aids people aged 18 to 64 receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). They can return to work and keep their healthcare. The program connects them to providers who help with job preparation and search.
The Ticket to Work Program has key benefits for SSDI recipients. They include a 9-month trial work period. During this time, participants can test if they can work while still getting full SSDI benefits, regardless of their earnings. In 2023, a successful trial work month is one in which the beneficiary earns $1,050 or works 80+ hours in their own business.
After a 3-month trial work period, participants get a 3-month grace period. During this time, they get full benefits if they earn less than $1,470 per month. Following the first year, there is a 36-month extended period. Here, participants can keep their benefits as long as their earnings are below the SGA level. They can also deduct work-related expenses. These include transportation and assistive devices, from their earnings.
This ensures the expenses don’t count against their benefits. If they lose their job or earn below the SGA threshold within 5 years, benefits can be reinstated quickly. Additionally, participants can retain Medicare or Medicaid for up to 93 months after SSDI payments stop, provided they pay the premiums.
