MAY I GET DISABILITY BENEFITS IF I WORK FULL-TIME?

The general answer to this question is, No.  A person may not receive Social Security disability benefits if he/she is currently working full-time.

According to 20 Code of Federal Regulations 404.1520(b), if an individual engages in Substantial Gainful Activity, she is not disabled regardless of how severe her physical or mental impairments are and regardless of her age, education or work experience.

Social Security defines "substantial gainful activity" as activity that is substantial and gainful.  Work will generally be deemed SGA if it produces gross wages of at least $1,090 per month.

 CAUTION:  It is the work, not the income that disqualifies.  Income from pensions, insurance, investments, etc. will not disqualify a person.

Another question arises:  May I work part-time and receive Social Security disability benefits.  The answer here is not so clear cut.  The boundary line is still earning gross wages of at least $1,090 per month.  It is possible for a person to earn wages below that mark and still be eligible for disability benefits.  For example, I once had a client who earned $350 per month at a part-time job and still received SSDI benefits.  This amount, of course, was far below SGA level and far below full-time work.

It is possible for an individual to meet the medical definition of disability and not be eligible for benefits because of working.  It will prove helpful to speak with a qualified disability representative before making the judgment about how your work affects a potential disability claim.

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