LIT LOVE
You are not getting the point.

Me & My son was told substantial gainful employed not substantial gainful activity.
Having him doing errands could even be gainful activity or him mowing the lawn or him using the computer or cleaning the house (He is not so good at cleaning the house) and so on. However, none of that means his is not disabled. I am divorced. I am not saying he is cable of getting a job. The problem would be keeping the job and people understanding him. Now with todays economy, getting a job is almost impossible.

I still stand by what I said about the special schools.

The Op should look into pell grants, vocational rehab, and special schools. Then he would have to borrow less. Future SSDI can be garnished for student loans but SSI cannot. This is according to SSA website.

Sir, I made an incorrect assumption that financial aid was treated as income for SSI, and when you suggested I was wrong, I researched the matter and found out you were correct.

My last post was confusing. "You do not have to be SGA, you only have to be capable of SGA." I should have said, you do not have to be performing Substantial Gainful Activity, you only have to be determined capable of SGA by Social Security.

Social Security's definition of Substantial Gainful Activivity is a dollar figure they determine (currently $1000.) Please don't confuse this with a common definition of the words meanings.

My advise to Shari was specific to her, and in response to her concerns. She is expecting to receive her first CDR, she's concerned about triggering a more in-depth review of her case, and that her interest in taking a class is about her personal goals as much as it is about returning to work.

If you and your son are not familiar with the CDR process, this link is a great resource.:
http://nymakesworkpay.org/docs/Guide_CDR.pdf

Gilbert, a poster to this forum, posted a thread recently about his brother's experience, that even working part-time under the SGA level, was used by the SSA to determine that he was no longer disabled, and resulted in the ending of his benefits. Here is a link to that thread.:http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread157811-2.html

If your son attempted a job, and was unable to keep that job, SSA calls that an Unsuccessful Work Attempt:
http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/2010/ssdi...supports.htm#2

LIT LOVE, I am only disagreeing with two parts again because what we were told. We were told gainful work not about gainful activity. So going to school shouldn't count against disabled people.

I read that shouldn't of happened if he makes under $1000 for SSDI. Appealing is ok but I think he should contact congress person for help. The reason SS is violating there own rules. On Congress person website, there offices can help you deal with social security. You have to fill out a special form to get help.

In my opinion, Social Security shouldn't be allowed to violate there own rules.

Thanks for posting this link LIT LOVE I was curious about the CDR process because I'm due up for mine sometime in 2012. This explained it perfectly! Very concise information that didn't leave me looking like

Shari, I'm glad the link helped! I found it AFTER I had sent my short form and got the notice back that everything was fine. I had no CLUE that the CDR should be treated so seriously.

If (or when) you decide to head back to college, I'm sure it'll be a positive experience. I forgot to mention checking out any of your local colleges free lecture programs as well! Most departments will list what they offer at the beginning of the semester. Cal-tech in Pasadena (of the Rose Parade fame) offers for free to the public, what other schools charge big ticket prices for, as an example. For a tiny college known for churning out rocket scientists, they offer a pretty diverse selection of some the best lecturers in the country. This is another good way to dip your toes into the academic pond...

The question I have is at what point your education becomes an indication of work ability.. I'm in grad school full time, and have the sneaky suspicion that it wouldnt go over well with SSA if I was reviewed right now.. due to this I have to toe a dangerous line.. I'm set for review in 2015, and since I am 'improvement not likely' I will most likely get the CDR short form (which asks what youve been up to for the last two years I believe)..the form asks about what your doing right now - job training/education. which means I have to cease schooling by the end of 2012, the term I plan to graduate

You can handle grad school full time AND you're worried about losing SSD? Even working part-time, you should be able to make substantially more money than you're receiving in benefits. Even teaching 6 hours a week at the community college level in CA, you'd make more money than max SSDI benefits, and that can't be more work than a full time graduate program. And if you needed more flexibility, being an online instuctor might be even more appropriate. You also would have a huge advantage in the hiring process.

Not that you need to justify yourself to a stanger, but the your post surely hints you're trying to work the system. It's hard for me to fathom anyone pursuing an advanced degree without the goal of a specific career.

If you get the long form, you stand a good chance of losing your benefits. Perhaps, you should consider the Ticket To Work program after you graduate which will, in theory, afford you some additional protections. If you can't manage SGA at that point, it'll be a failed work attempt.

LIT LOVE, SSDI could pay more depending on the parents income. What EducatedAsylum is worried about is losing the SSDI not being able to get it back & becoming homeless. Just because you are a full time student, doesn't mean you are not disabled or can do work. I am not referring to schools that let you take a work course that pays yous & gives you credit. He is not working the system. My son could be on the computer 24/7 but that doesn't mean his not disabled. People were certain mental disabilities are really geniuses but because of the disability there are not high IQ & the can't socialize or get along with people or can't hold jobs. They might do good or bad in school.