Being disabled can be expensive. The great news is that Social Security Insurance (SSDI) benefits have risen by 8.7%. We at Marken Law will explore how much money you can make on SSDI benefits this 2023.

What is Substantial Gainful Activity,and How Does it Affect Your SSDI Benefits?

If you make more money than $1,470 (or $2,460 for the visually impaired) monthly,the SSA (Social Security Administration) will identify you as having Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). This limit means SSA has marked you as independent enough to make a living without needing benefits. 

How Much Money Can You Earn on SSDI?

The SGA does not include income streams that are not directly from employment. These income streams include investments,your spouse’s income,and other assets. 

For example,you earn below $1,400 as a contractual freelancer with a disability. But you have added financial support from your monthly dividends. SSA will not count those dividends. They will only consider your wages as a contractual freelancer and qualify you for SSDI benefits. 

Can You Still Receive my SSDI Benefits if my Income Surpasses the SGA?

Yes,you can still receive your SSDI benefits within a Trial Work Period (TWP). This period is the first nine months you earn above the SGA amount. 

TWP only counts the months you earned above SGA. You can subtract expenses related to your disability from your earnings to determine your monthly income.

If you earned $1,500 a month and paid $35 for monthly adaptive equipment,your actual earning is $1,465. Therefore,you will not enter TWP.

However,what if you get a raise and earn $1,600 for one month? After you pay $35 for your monthly adaptive equipment,you will still have $1,565. That is more than the SGA limit. Your income then counts as one month of TWP. 

But if your income drops below $1,470,it will not be counted as another month of TWP.

During the nine months of earning above the SGA,you’ll continue receiving your SSDI. However,when TWP ends,and you still make above the SGA,the SSA will consider you no longer disabled,and your SSDI payments will stop. 

But depending on your case,TWP can be extended. 

What Other Reasons Your SSDI Benefits Might Stop?

There are other scenarios when your SSDI benefits discontinue. For example,some scenarios related to the age limit:

• You reach retirement age at 66. You’re eligible for Social Security retirement benefits instead.
• You’re a dependent who turned 18. Suppose you receive benefits as a dependent minor. Once you turn 18,the benefits may stop.

Another factor when your SSDI benefits may change is if you get incarcerated:

• Charged with a misdemeanor. Your benefits may continue unless you are imprisoned for 30 days or more. The good news is that it will continue a month after your release. However,your case may differ if you participate in a rehabilitation program.
• Charged with a felony but was not incarcerated. Your SSDI may be canceled. 

How Can You Maintain Your SSDI Benefits?

To maintain your SSDI benefits,always maintain contact with:

• Your Doctor. Having as many regular checkups with your doctor as possible will help confirm that you still have a disability. 
• The SSA. Notifying them of changes to your circumstances will allow them to instruct you on keeping your benefits.

For example,if you get a job without notifying the SSA first,they may consider you no longer disabled. They will then schedule a re-examination of your SSDI qualifications or cancel your benefits. 

Will the Income Limit for SSDI Affect my SSI? 

While SSDI is based on disability and work credits,Social Security Income (SSI) is based on age or disability with limited income and resources.

The answer will vary from person to person. Whether you qualify for SSD and/or SSI will depend on the nature of your disability and income. We advise you to qualify and find out rather than never trying at all. 

Do I Qualify for SSDI and SSI Benefits?

SSDI benefits have increased by 8.7% this 2023. This is excellent news for people with disabilities who need government support. However,an advocate can make a difference in qualifying for your needed benefits. 

Here at Marken Law,we present our clients’ cases and file the paperwork. To get the benefits you deserve,please check out disability
 

When the time to collect social security benefits is inching closer,married couples can sometimes wonder how social security insurance would work for them. It can be a tricky area,especially if there are two very different income levels,or if someone passes,it’s good to understand how the insurance income from social security works and avoid any hiccups that could prevent collecting on social security retirement benefits. 

Work Benefits for Married Couples

Each married person is entitled to their social security benefits based on their own work record and is available to file for when the age of 62 is reached,though waiting beyond early retirement can increase the amount of the social security benefit. Also,a married couple is eligible to collect benefits up to 50% of their spouse,whichever is greater. This is a great help if one spouse is a much higher earner and is known as a “spousal benefit.”

To be clear,both spouses cannot claim both benefits. The Social Security Administration will give you whichever is higher,but not both. If one spouse qualifies for benefits based on their own earning history,the SSA will use your own work records first,but will then use your spouse’s to give the maximum benefit. 

Calculating Spousal Social Security Benefits

Spousal benefits are calculated based on the primary insurance amount,the amount you’re eligible for at the full retirement age (FRA). Depending on your age when you start paying into social security,you can claim 32.5-50% of your spouse’s benefits. If filing at the FRA,you’ll receive 50% maximum,but early retirement at age 62 will give you 32.5%. 

Waiting past the full retirement age can give you delayed retirement credits,this is 8% more of your social security for each year you wait past the FRA,capped at 70 years old. It’s important to note that you cannot earn delayed retirement credits when taking spousal benefits. Also,if you take spousal benefits it won’t affect the benefits your husband or wife receives. SSI benefits are based only on the primary insurance amount and when they’re claimed. 

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are social security benefits based on the word record of a spouse who has passed away. To qualify,the couple must have been married for at least ten years or have a child that the surviving spouse is caring for,and is younger than 16 or is disabled. This benefit is similar to claiming the benefits of a living spouse,that you’re able to receive the amount if it is higher than your own social security benefit amount at the time when the spouse passed. 

In order to file for survivor benefits,you must wait until your full retirement age in order to receive the full benefits. If you claim social security benefits from a deceased spouse as soon as you are eligible (age 60) you will only receive 71.5% of the benefits. If you remarry before the age of 60,you won’t be able to collect survivor benefits,but remarrying after the eligibility age won’t affect collecting them. 

Threats to Claiming Your Social Security Benefits

There are mistakes and pitfalls that many people make when filing for spousal social security benefits. Many married couples develop a strategy to ensure they get the most out of their benefits,filing at the right time and claiming the higher earner strategically. When filing as a divorced person or survivor benefits,things can become more tricky,which is why we at Marken Law have dedicated our legal expertise to helping people secure their SSI benefits. 

Here at Marken Law Group,we have a comprehensive understanding of social security benefits. We understand how stressful benefits can be and don’t want to add to your plate during this potentially stressful time. We have represented hundreds of claimants in Washington,Idaho,Montana,Oregon,and California to obtain what is rightfully theirs. We focus on your individual needs and bring our extensive experience to help guide you through. 

Getting what you need to live and have what you deserve is too important to leave to chance. Partner with an experienced ally that is by your side from start to finish by having qualified social security lawyers help you through this process to secure your benefits.

Secure Your SSI