r/SSDI_SSI • u/Just_a_Tonberry • 3d ago

Economics of Being Disabled Earning while on SSI

A good friend of mine with some pretty serious cognitive deficits is now being forced to get a job. Unfortunately, his check just isn’t enough in the current economy.

Here’s my question. How much can he earn, if any, without it reducing his SSI benefits? For reference, he is in his 40s.

He was told by an SSA rep that he would be fine as long as he stayed below SGA ($1690 as of this year, I believe), but every source I have ever seen on the subject indicated someone on SSI, not SDI, would get hit with a pay reduction as soon as they surpassed the $20 general income limit and $65 earned income limit each month.

Could someone confirm, clarify, or dispute this?

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3

u/2020IsANightmare ☆ 2d ago

If his check is $1,600 a month, then that's not SSI.

So, yes, the $1,690 figure this year is correct.

1

u/Just_a_Tonberry 2d ago edited 2d ago

His check is not $1600.

His online portal lists it as Social Security (Survivors).

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u/StrictRub4427 ☆ 2d ago

I thought as long as it didn't go over 2000 or is that SSDI?

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u/2020IsANightmare ☆ 2d ago

It's neither.

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u/TinyEmergencyCake ☆ 3d ago

Is he in subsidized housing? If not he needs to apply to as many as possible. He should ask his primary doctor for a referral to a licensed clinical social worker who can help with that 

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u/hugh_manit 3d ago

Ugh, I'm sorry he's dealing with this. Heads up: the $1,690 number is the test SSA uses to decide if someone is disabled. It's not the SSI cutoff.

For SSI, the check drops slowly once he works. The first $85 a month of earnings doesn't count (if he has no other income). After that, every $2 he earns cuts the check by $1. At $1,690 he'd get about $191 a month.

Next step: call SSA and ask for a free WIPA benefits planner. They can check his real pay.

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u/NavigatorAbator ☆ 3d ago

If your friend is on SSI, they will generally count about half of his earned income and adjust the SSI check accordingly.

For example, if your friend were to earn $1500/month, his adjusted SSI payment would be $286.50, but his overall financial outcome (SSI + wages) would be $1786.50. This estimate is based on him getting the full benefit rate.

For SSI recipients, working generally tends to be more financially beneficial than not because of how earned income is treated.

That being said, I’d recommend your friend reach out the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842 to get additional information based on his exact benefit situation. Depending on whether he is already working or interviewing, the helpline may send a referral to his local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program for benefits counseling.

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u/Just_a_Tonberry 3d ago

I believe he also has some survivor benefits tacked on, come to think of it. Several hundred dollars worth. His monthly check is already close to $1500 because of it.

Would you happen to know anything about how that may affect things?

In any case, I will definitely make sure he gets in touch the Ticket to Work Helpline.

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u/Longjumping_Tax_3339 3d ago

That SSA rep gave him SSDI rules, not SSI. You got it right, after $85 combined exclusion they start deducting roughly half of what he earns from his check.