The number one reason people on disability such as SSDI and SSI. (Social Security Disability Insurance and Social Security Insurance) do not look for work is they are afraid they will lose their benefits when they return to work. After taking anywhere from 6 month to over a year to get on benefits the possibility of losing them, by returning to work, is a definite concern.

I am Steve Gehrke, my company SKG Career Services is an EN or Employment Network for the Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work” program. This program is designed to help people on SSDI and SSI gain part time or full time employment. This service is provided at no cost to the candidate or to the employer that hires them. What I have found in my work helping people with disabilities find work, is their situations tend to fall into three categories. Situation one: Their mental or physical condition will get better and some day they want to get off benefits. Number Two: They would like to get off benefits some day but they are not sure if they will ever be well enough and Number three: They know the odds are their condition is going to only get worse but they want to work and be as productive as they can. In any case all of these people WANT TO WORK. 

KNOWLEGED IS POWER: The best advice I can give is if you are on disability and want to work is DO IT.  If you are on SSDI a trial work period of 9 months is provided whereby you can earn any amount of money and still receive your full benefits. After that if you are making over $ 1220.00 (SGA) in a calendar month you will lose your benefits. For the next three years (EPE) if you lose your job for any reason (or if your income falls below SGA currently $ 1220.00) you can get back on benefits by making a phone call to the SSA and letting them know the change in your situation. The idea is give you a chance to work your way back into the world of work without the threat of permanently losing your benefits. You will also retain your government medial benefits.
If you are on SSI the formula is different. No trial work period is offered. The formula is too complicated to get into here but basically you lose a portion of your monthly benefit depending on how much money you earn. When your monthly earning reaches approximately $ 1600 you lose your benefit completely.
So you can see it is important to understand these formulas so you are not surprised at how working will affect your benefits.  I am not a benefits expert, my focus is on doing one on one work with candidates on disability to support them in finding work; but I do understand the basics. After I start working with someone that wants to work I highly recommend the person contact a Social Security Benefits Planner. They float from Workforce Center to Workforce Center. To set up an appointment all one needs to do is call the workforce center nearest you and tell them you want to see a Social Security Benefits Planner.​