So I have been on SSDI since August 2001. I have worked really hard with the help of providers and Voc Rehab to try to return to work. Per the SSA rep, their own hand out: Working While Disabled - How Can We Help, and more research, I know that I can have a Trial Work Period of 9 months and can earn whatever amount during this time or earn below a certain amount for it NOT to count as a TWP month. Well, apparently not so.

They sent me a form to determine, that I have 15 days to return, whether or not I could still receive benefits. It is going back asking for information back to February 2001 (14 years ago!, who has records that far back) of my work history. Besides not have all the detailed records and of specific hours worked each week during this time, this technically is irrelevant because I did not file as permanently disabled until August 1 2001. I don't understand why they are asking me this. I was out on short term disability February to March that year then came back part time time April through July due to the disability, then FMLA for 12 weeks until November. So my last day of actual work was August 1st. I am praying they are not trying to count April - July as some of my TWP months in which case I will have to pay back some of the social security payments these last couple months, let alone knowing they will stop sooner than expected.

Then on top of that, I was fortunate that I received long term disability sick pay from my employer for 18 months when I left. SSA has me listed as working for this insurance company, thinking I working in the years after I left. I have corrected this on the form as well and have proof from my W2 showing it was third party sick pay. It just gets my nerves going though.

I am angry, scared, and beside myself at the thought of losing these benefits. Things at the job are not secure enough yet to loose SSDI. I needed these TWP months. Vocational Rehab and my providers helped me make a plan for goals each month. I understand why people are afraid of working while disabled if SSA does things like this. I want to make a success of this but just to be cut off, how does this help?

I am filling out the forms best I can and I do have my tax stuff with W2's during this time is all I can provide as I keep those 15 years. I will turn it in today and see what they say. Please pray or hope with me that they continue my benefits. Thanks in advance for listening to me vent.