SSDI and working very part time

I receive ssdi for major depression. I haven't worked for 6 years. In September, after talking to ss, I accepted a 12 hour a week job ($10 per hour) in an elementary school cafeteria to help kids open cartons of milk and other foods, clean up their messes, and try to keep order. I have a supervisor and work with the supervisor and 1 other person. So far, I have not made more than $400 a month.

When I spoke with ss, I was told that if I did not make over $750 (possibly the lady said $720) per month, it was not considered substantial and it would not generate an early continuing disability review. I did have to file a report with ss to tell them that I wpuld be working very part time.

I did this without my pdoc's approval although he did indicate that he was pleased that I had taken this initiative and it could be beneficial.

Here's the problem: I am terrified of losing my ssdi benefits and I read whatever I find on this subject. I stumbled on NeuroTalk and looked at their finances forum. The commentators mention repeatedly that they are or know of individuals receiving ssdi who have been disqualified because the work at all, most like me for a few hundred dollars a month.

My questions are:
Have I made a case for ss to review my file and take away my ssdi benefits for even limited working?
If so, should I resign immediately, which would actually be a relief in a way because when I leave the job, my legs ache to the point that I moan when getting into and out of the car. The pain continues all evening and severely limits what I can do at home. I have to take large doses of ibuprofin to get out of bed and dressed.

To be honest, this small job has helped me im several ways: I have a reason that I must get out of bed no matter what, I love being around the kids, as they can prpvide a respite from the constant mental pain, and it provides a tiny bit of exercise.

Once again to the issue: does anyone have experience with ss terminating a recipient for a job that does not meet the SGE number?

By way of background, I am in my late 50's and was working as an attorney in the legislative branch of my state's government, but now I cannot even remember the name of a child I talked to at the beginning of the lunch hour.

I am so terrified. Ssdi is all I have.

You can make up to $1,030 a month and still be ok. I know, I lost my disability when I earned over that one month. I proved that since I worked for my father he overpaid me because I was his daughter. Then the social security office got in touch with my former employers- who reported I was not a good worker, that they put up with me, made exceptions, that I did not 'fully earn' my money. I got my disability back

That was a scary, dark time for me.

The mental health association accompanied me to my social security office appointments, helped me get it back.

You will receive a letter in the mail if you begin to come close to $1,030 a month. You will get warnings before they cut you off. And you will be given the chance to get it back if you ever come to that point.

You should be reporting to social security that you are working, which you are.

You can also get into a program entitled 'ticket to work'

If you are in that program you do not need to have your case in review, see the government psychiatrist, etc

Not sure but perhaps your area has mental health agencies that can help you.

Congrats on the job in the elementary school I work in an elementary school, too!

how much does ssi pay? is $900 normal?

SSDI is based on your earnings for the entire time you worked and paid taxs.

Take Care

The average monthly payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is $527: Monthly Statistical Snapshot, September 2013

Hello

Look up the SSD redbook online, it will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Do you have an organization called ahhed in your area, if so they do benefits counseling and can answer your questions. If you make $600 or less I know you are safe, SSD tells you that your permitted to make more but your not, they go by your gross income which you might quickly go over. No metter what they do you get 9 trial work months, 3 months grace period where you receive your full check and income. After that you are on a fast track for three years to get back on, all you have to do is call.

Not entirely accurate.
If you are doing ticket to work it's often a safer bet if you are looking to get into the workforce, which is actually the goal of ticket to work.

But by doing it through a ticket to work program, you recieve numerous supports and are in theory monitored. You can make more- I've done it, and actually that work activity never triggered a review.

I've been on SSDI eight years now [approaching nine] and had I think three reviews.

ONE of those reviews actually was because i was suddenly eligible for dependent benefits- so was triggered by that.

I have attempted numerous times to get back into the workforce, being various degrees of successful and bringing home various pay, but I have no yet been able to continue the endeavor. However, i initiated Ticket to Work some time ago so i could try school again. Now pretty much any academic or work endeavor I undertake falls under that- SSDI sees it as an attempt to get back on my feet [which it is], not as any kind of attempt to game the system.

One more thing to note: SSDI also takes from the income they factor in any cost of transportation or any medical costs related to success at work. This can be medications or therapies or any durable medical equipment. If you subtract that from your monthly income, a lot of people are perfectly within limits- just most people don't know to report those costs.

My recommendation: inquire about ticket to work.

The stories of people losing their check for working at all are probably people who were getting SSI. SSI and SSDI are two different things. SSDI is what you get if you were able to work and pay taxes for long enough before you became disabled, SSI is for people who never worked or only worked for a short amount of time. You want to be on SSDI, they give you more money and there are far less regulations on what you can do with it and how much you can earn on top of it.

This thread interests me.

I have been receiving SSDI benefits since 2000. My health has improved and I would like to work part time. Social security dept told me I could make up to $720/month before it affects my SSDI benefits. I am 55 y/o and doubt I will ever be well enough to work full time again but don't want to mess up my SSDI benefits.

I had looked into it because I had started pursuing a p/t, seasonal job before my SSDI was approved (didn't get the job in the end). I was told I could make $1000 a month before they reviewed my benefits. Does this change based region? I was told that amount before disclosing who I was and that I was looking into the info for myself.

I would like to go back to work some day, but it's just not in the cards for me right now...

I don't know how real this is. I'm on SSDI, but my fear is if I start working even part-time and below the minimum monthly amount even, that someone at SSA will think "Gosh, she's on SSDI because she's supposed to be unable to work, but she's working part time, which means she can probably work full-time. And she's cured!"

May be ridiculous, I know, but I always think of that.

I don't know how accurate this is, but my family member who is in charge of my benefits, receives my check and such told me I couldn't work at all. That's what this person said SS said to them. I'm afraid to even ask them myself if I have to tell them who I am. I've worked a little in my life so I'm receiving SSDI and SSI and I'm kind of young. I could have swore I got a letter at some point that said I couldn't work at all? To be honest I don't think I can work much, but it's something I'd like to try part time for just a few hours.

Has anyone ever heard of SS telling someone no work at all? Is it because of my age?

Well it doesn't matter anymore. I couldn't hack my job and had to quit. Today was my last day. I don't know how I will drag myself out of bed now.

I'm sorry about that. Something to think about: maybe volunteer work for a couple hours one day a week or whatever you feel comfortable. It will get you out and about without maybe too much pressure.

Take care

I'm in the ticket to work program. I work 5-10 hrs per week. My SSDI is 844.00 per month. My job is janitorial, and the company is a supportive work agency. I can call off and say im having an episode and not be punished or worry about losing my job.

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Are you on SSI or SSDI?