Hi there Hellion,

I am on SSI for my disabilities, and I do work part-time. I work 12-15 hours/week as a food server at a nearby retirement facility. I've been there for 1 1/2 years (so far), and I really enjoy what I do. I'm *not* in it for the money, LOL!

In a way, I am kind of "penalized" for working. Social Security would pay me $733/month if I weren't working, and I would also qualify for Food Stamps of $110/month. However, Food Stamps have gone down to $15/month and my SS income varies depending upon my income 1 or 2 months before.

I'm allowed to make $65/month before SS makes a decrease. From there, 50% of my income is subtracted from that amount. Whatever is left over, I get the difference. So, say I make 314.78 one month. I mail copies of my paystubs to the local SS office (with my SS# written on them) by the 5th of the month.

314.50
-65.00
249.50

Now, I need to remove 50% of that 249.50 -----> 124.25

Total amount SS would pay me, and subtract that amount:
731.00 -124.50
606.25

So, in a month or two, I expect my SS payment to be 606.25

Of course, I do have that 314.50, which makes my total income to be around 920/month. However, 1/3 of my income goes to rent and my Food Stamps has decreased significantly. *sigh* It's a pain in the rear to think about finances, and all of that, but I do enjoy getting out "in the real world" a few days per week & I still continue to see my doctors and group T regularly.

Tax time is very confusing to me though, so I definitely recommend seeing a tax aide every year that you work. But, maybe that's just me.

Very best wishes to you, Hellion.