It is almost impossible to deal with a disability without worrying about your financial stability. Luckily, some support systems, like Social Security disability benefits, help you deal with your condition.
Still, you may wonder, “Do I have to quit my job to qualify for disability benefits?”
The answer to this question depends on how much your job pays. There are limits on how much applicants should earn per month, so earning “too much” could disqualify you from getting disability benefits.
This post is for you if you wonder whether your income allows you to collect disability lawyers. Read on to understand the latest rules and limitations.
Work and Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) may grant you disability benefits to cover your healthcare and daily living expenses if your disability prevents you from working.
But this raises the question, “Do I have to quit my job to qualify for disability benefits?”
The simple answer is no. You do not have to resign from your work to be eligible for benefits.
Generally, you must demonstrate that your decision to stop working during the application process was motivated by your condition and not by a desire to cut your earnings to be eligible for benefits.
Income Limits
Income limits depend on the kind of disability benefits you are seeking.
If you are pursuing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which depends on your work history and tax payments, your work limits are based on your substantial gainful activity (SGA).
SGA is any work that generates revenue over a certain threshold set by the SSA, demonstrating that you do not have a disability and can thrive in the national market.
The SGA income caps are as follows for 2023:
- $2,460 monthly if you are blind
- $1,470 monthly if not blind
Conversely, the federal benefit rate (FBR) limits your ability to work if you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), determined by your financial need.
The FBR is the monthly maximum payment for SSI benefits and the SSI income cap. The FBR for 2022 is $914 for singles and $1,371 for married couples.
Remember that the SSA will not consider all your earnings towards the FBR for SSI benefits. So, you can earn more than $914 or $1,371 monthly if you understand which earnings are included and which are excluded.
Other Factors
Earning a low income does not automatically mean you cannot work. Even if you work within these limits, the SSA will consider the nature of your job to determine whether you qualify for benefits.
For example, if you take a volunteer role involving much physical activity, the SSA can conclude that you can work, even if your income is below the limit.
But what if you earn a good salary in a position that offers reasonable accommodations and assistance? The SSA may decide you qualify for benefits instead of keeping your job, even though your wages exceed the limits.
SSI beneficiaries should remember that all states except eight provide state supplements that increase their monthly payout. Your monthly income might exceed the FBR limit due to these payments ranging between $10 and $400.
Hourly limits
The SSA places more weight on your pay and type of job than the number of hours worked. Even so, hourly limits may apply.
You should work at least 45 hours per month, or around ten hours per week, if you are self-employed and have a disability and begin to receive benefits.
Contact a disability lawyer immediately if you believe you will be eligible for SSDI benefits.
If I Leave My Job, When Can I Claim Benefits?
There is a common misconception that you must wait 12 months after quitting work to apply for disability, but this is untrue.
The “durational requirement” states that you must demonstrate that your health condition prohibits you from working beyond SGA for at least 12 months. That includes stating how long your disability or treatment for your condition will last.
For example, cancer patients may need up to a year of treatment before being well enough to resume working. But the SSA does not make claimants wait until a year has passed since they quit working before processing their disability applications.
Still, some disability attorneys advise clients to postpone filing for benefits for several months after they cease working.
What If I Decide to Go Back to Work?
Recipients below retirement age who want to return to the workforce can do so under the SSA’s “Ticket to Work” program. This program:
- Allows SSDI recipients to work for a maximum of nine months.
- Continues paying recipients full payments during this nine-month probation period, irrespective of their earnings.
- It is a secure way for SSDI claimants to establish whether they work for the long term and sustain themselves without receiving disability benefits.
Never Quit Work Before Filing for Disability Income Benefits
So, “Do I have to quit my job to qualify for disability benefits?” The answer is no.
Still, never quit your job before filing for Social Security disability benefits. Voluntary resignation (even if influenced by the impact of your disability) denies you numerous legal and financial protections you would have otherwise enjoyed if you were laid off.
Speak to a Social Security disability lawyer if you have any questions about how to file for disability benefits. At Legal Giant, we partner with a team of experienced lawyers practicing in every state.
Our partner Social Security disability lawyers can review your income to determine the benefits you qualify for and help you file for these benefits.
Contact us at 833-641-1650 for a free case consultation.
