Hi, and I am sorry all of us are in this fix. No we reallly should not work at all or they will take the benefits away. I don't want to do anything to risk that. However, I am loosing my home. I need more than I recieve to pay for my bills. This puts you in the position of going into public housing. I do one thing I do not think I can get in trouble for. About once a month I have a garage sale, encluding art work that I gave to my neighbor. I gave to her my things and she makes a little money. Money never touches my hands, nor do I recieve it. I needed brakes on my car or I could not drive, and insurance. For months she saved for me and then took my car in herself. How else can you do these things and keep the ability to get to your appts? If this is illegal in any way I would not do it. My para legal, who went to court with me said this was an OK thing to do. Is my son not allowed to pay for my haircut? All kinds of issues crop up for all of us, and there is a true struggle to survive on a daily basis. Most of us are just trying to survive this way. I want to know why our gov. makes this dissability into a punishment where you are not allowed to better yourself. That seems so un-american to me. ginnie

I agree with you ginnie. When I really think about how little my SSDI check is per month I shake my head. Don't get me wrong, I thank and praise God that I'm getting a SSDI check every month. I waited for three years for approval and understand that so many are still waiting.I also have a husband who works fulltime so we are not in jeopardy of losing our home. I pray that his job will continue far into the future so at least I don't have to worry about that. I'm just saying that times are really hard when the amount you receive once a month is limited and hasn't increased at all for the past three years yet the cost of gas per gallon is increasing on a daily basis.

We have two children and I receive monthly benefits for them as well. I was just thinking about what our financial situation will be like when they are 18 and I no longer receive monthly benefits for them. Right now we are using the money for living expenses but in three years my son will be going to college, our funds will be less yet we will need even more money.

I can't even think about working just to supplement my SSDI because my health will not allow it now or ever, but it would be nice if Uncle Sam understood that being able to work 15 hours a week while living with a disability doesn't mean that one is able to work fulltime to support themselves by any means.

I'll continue to trust and pray that God will meet all of our needs both now and in the future.

Praying for everyone,
Shari

I am gratefull for my benefits too Shari, I just thought I would be allowed a bit more. Belive me if I could go back to work, I would in a minute because living in this poverty is so hard to do. I do thank God that even this small amount come, as without it, I would be homeless for sure. ginnie Good luck to your whole family.

I know you explained it, but you sounded shady. And your explanation didn't make sence....to me anyway, but then nothing makes sence to me, so I may be wrong. I hope you weren't being shady.

Thanks ginnie,
I agree with you 100% I think we all would prefer working over receiving a monthly check from the government because we cannot.

Good Luck to your whole family too

I'm too tricky to lose my SSD unwittingly like a lot of unfortunate people do, I don't know how plain I can say it.

Back on topic, I think its unfortunate if it's true that you can't supplement your SSD at all without raising the eyebrows of SSA.. Then what is the point of the SGA of 1000$?.. for many disabled people SSD barely gets them by, and just sitting at the computer earning a little supplemental income should not automatically mean someone can work in the workplace. I think I will contact an SSD lawyer about this as well

My thoughts exactly

You are exactly right "just sitting at the computer earning a little supplemental income should not automatically mean someone can work in the workplace.". However, I would think if you repeatedly make $900 each month (with your trickery to not go over), you will likely prompt a review and say you could use those skills you've displayed in support of yourself...and it's doesn't have to be in a workplace. It could be at home also (there are many home based companies). They don't care where you work, just whether you CAN. And you will show them you CAN with your idea/plan.

Asking a lawyer would be a good idea. Maybe you can post his/her reply here so we all can learn from what is said.

So what is so bad about "raising the eybrows of SSA"? What matters is the end result; does the work you are doing demonstrate that you have significant medical improvement and are no longer disabled.

Like everything else in SSA, these decisions will be done on case by case with the details that apply to each person. There are general guidelines that need to be followed. Contact all the lawyers you want. I would guess that most of them would give the advice that protects their own back, and that would be to play it safe and don't attempt to use the work incentives. At least then, the lawyer is off the hook if your work activity later demonstrates the ability to work. Can't go back and sue for malpractice if the lawyer said not to go to work.

If you do go to work, there will be more to report to SSA. You need to keep pay stubs; may want to keep track of the hours it takes you to do the work that a non-disabled person would do faster, keep proof that you are not engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity.

You are the only one who knows if you are willing to do it.

Why not get the info straight from the horses mouth?!?!?

Welcome to The Work Site

Or read the booklet that you received when you were approved for SSDI. Wealth of info.