One of the work incentive rules that could be applied in the original poster's case would be an unsuccessful work attempt. If a person tried to work and worked less than 90 days and stopped because of their medical condition, the policy allows for SSA to consider that an unsuccessful work attempt. A person can have multiple unsuccessful work attempts but the work does have to end because of the medical condition. I knew of a young man who made a good initial impression and managed to get many entry level jobs in the fast food industry. However, his unmedicated schizophrenia symptoms would quickly rear their ugly head and he would lose every job within a month or two. SSA called them all unsuccessful work attempts.

SSA employees do not have a personal stake in any decision made on your claim. What they like to do, what they are paid to do is to follow the law. They do look for ways to deny or pay a claim (according to policy) because that is what they are paid to do. Their salaries are the same if you are approved or if you are denied.

Now some people may think getting approved should be easier with fewer questions asked and fewer policies to apply. But it is the existance of many of those policies that allow SSA to deny people who are not truly disabled. And although this site is a good support system for applicants for SSA, none of us can tell the truly disabled from the non disabled by a post.

Having said all that, I do think the process should be faster and more responsive, but that will take hiring enough staff and SSA has never had enough staff, IMO. And now with a hiring freeze, it will get worse and employees may end up taking short cuts which can either pay or deny the wrong people.

SS knew I was still working, limited hours, at the time of my application. I've always been very upfront about it. Never went before a judge as I was approved on first try within 2 1/2 months.

People who work and collect SSDI are usually given a quick review and have their benefits taken away. I knew someone who went before a judge and they had returned to work because their STD ran out and the judge threw the case out. That was the first question I was asked when I went before a judge. Its ok to attempt to work and fail but to continue to work only proves that you are able to work and not disabled.

Hi RMP,

It sounds like you are taking offense where I don't see that any was intended.

That can be a natural reaction. Most of us, especially those with 'invisible' disabilities have gotten comments from firends, family, or acquaintances implying we could be working.

I don't see that anyone in this thread has said or implied that about you.

I have seen reactions to your blanket statement, "They do punish people who TRY to work. Its a fact not a maybe." Some of us do seem to disagree with that. I don't believe your statement to be true. That doesn't mean it isn't, it just means I don't believe that a department of the US government would be given specific instructions to TRY to hurt US citizens. I will say that making blanket statements about SSA encouraging people to work JUST so that they can take away or deny benfits IS in direct conflict with the stated goals of the incentive programs that I have seen. It is also in direct conflict with some of your own comments, like...."Now you can find people that it has worked for "

Also realize that some of our posters work in the field, so naturally that could cause resentment if you say that the SSA DEFINITELY has certain policies or practices meant to deny benefits, when someone in the field knows that to be untrue in their practice.

We can all have different opinions. On that.....often we do have to agree to disagree.

When something is presented as FACT, but comes with no documented proof, people who feel strongly that is not true will often voice their opinions. On whether or not something is a FACT, there really shouldn't be any disagreement.

I feel like some of us are commenting on your statements about the SSA having policies/practices meant to trick people into working to deny benefits.....and that you are taking that as a personal assessment that YOU should be working......and I hope that you aren't taking it that way.

Your failed work attempt SHOULD help your claim.....or, not hurt it going forward, as you have now gotten approval for SSDI.

When I first received SSDI benefits I was filled with similar questions laced with paranoia about losing my benefits if I worked. I tried but also wasn't able to hold down a job for longer than a month. The information that I got directly from a SSA rep. was that I may go back to work without it effecting benefits as long as it is less than $1100 a month before taxes.
That's interesting about the ticket to work program because the literature on their web site states that it will not effect your benefits should you enroll in the program. I was leary on the program wondering how legitimate it really is and if it can get you in trouble down the line by putting you in line for a case review. They are very clear that it will not do this though. Check it out for yourself and see what you think.