Ok, I'm not in any way trying to make light of the situation. I know there are those of less fortunate circumstances than me who might find it even harder to work than I, but I will speak on it anyways..
Im schizoaffective, and I am fearing working at the substantial gainful activity (972$ a month for me), and it acts as an impediment to finally see if I can function without SSD in the future. I have never held a steady job, except one minimal paying one in which I was laid off... Now here I am in grad school, and there is this perfect internship that I think could possibly propel me to being a functional being.. However I fear that if I am not able to work in the long term, passing the SGA threshold will tip off SSA than I am finally functional.. So I had an interview with that internship and basically subconsciously sabotaged it out of fear of this.

I understand that the prospect makes you nervous EA.

You might consider that if you try to work in your field and are not able to consistently maintain SGA, that could help a SSDI claim.

I don't work for SSA and can't say for sure how they would see it, but I would think if you can manage the presures of full time grad school, you should also be able to manage SGA. Seeing no attempts to work at SGA would be a red flag to me that it might just seem easier not to work.

Are you able to talk to any professors at school about your ambivalence about finding an intership because of your long term concerns about being able to support yourself ? Are you working with a therapist who will be supportive of your trying to work ?

^^^ yeah finz, I will make attempts at SGA and I am in therapy.. I think the middle ground here is to find a position in my field of study that would be non-paying, so it wouldn't effect SSD at all and I will get work experience - working towards SGA.

I envy you. I would give anything to be able to work again. SSA has a program for trial work periods. It's my understanding your medicare benefits continue while you work. I think it's 6 months long and if it doesn't work out no harm done, your SSDI status remains the same.
Look on the SSA website, I'm sure it explains the program.
I would encourage you to work if yiu can.
There's always the option of working and stayin under the SGA. This year the limit is $1020 after dedications (like medicine )
Respectfully,
Trudi

Hi, I'm crew and newer here as I have read over thing a lot more.

The Government has a program called "Ticket to WorK" and when I was on this particular program, If I worked 9 months combining all the times I stopped and started work, even though, SSA still counts it working. So for instance I'm off of the "Ticket-to-Work" program. Now I can still work just as long as I don't go over a $1000.00 however, medicaid will not pay even close however each state is different.
All the luck to you and I hope this has helped a little bit.

Thanks, Crew