disabled worker

Can Returning to Work Impact Your Ability to Receive SSD Benefits?

Learning that you have a disability can be tough news to absorb – especially if it impacts your ability to keep working. When your disability prevents you from working you not only have to worry about your disability but how you will make ends meet. Luckily, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.  But what happens if your condition begins to improve?

If you are lucky enough to start getting better, you may wish to return to work. Although you may believe that you can’t receive SSD benefits if you go back to work, this is incorrect. Employment doesn’t necessarily prevent you from receiving benefits right away.

Always Notify the SSA of Any Changes

The best thing that you can do is understand what you are entitled to in regards to SSD benefits when returning to work. This can then help you to discover the best steps for your situation. However, you must still remember to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of any changes to your condition as well as your work status. In other words, if you begin working again, stop working at all, or are receiving other assistance due to your disability, you must let the SSA know right away.

A Trial Period

If you try to improve your condition but are still unable to start working again as you did prior to your disability, you will likely continue to receive benefits. But if you are able to begin working once again, the SSA will often continue to provide you with SSD benefits for a period of time to ensure that you are able to continue working. That way, if you find after starting to work again that you cannot continue to do so, you will still be receiving benefits. This allows you to figure everything out prior to your benefits being stopped. Those who find that they cannot keep up with this new work don’t have to re-qualify for benefits but will instead be put back on the same program as before. 

Keep the SSA Informed

Ultimately, the most important thing that you should do is to make sure you always keep the SSA informed as to your current situation. If you go back to work but fail to notify the SSA of this you can face serious penalties and consequences – even time in prison. 

If the SSA does not reduce your benefits after you have already informed them that you are back at work, it’s important that you do not spend the money since it is not actually yours. You will likely be asked to return the extra funds. By keeping any additional money in a separate account, you will have it available when the SSA demands it be returned or informs you in writing that you do not need to give it back. 

The Las Vegas SSD Attorneys at Roeschke Law, LLC Can Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with a disability that prevents you from working, you may not know how to proceed. Fortunately, the attorneys at Roeschke Law, LLC can help. We understand the impact that a disability can have on your physical, emotional, and financial health. That’s why it’s our mission to help you. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today!