How Many Hours Can You Work If You Are On Disability?

Published on: November 15, 2022

If you want to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). One of those criteria is earnings limitations to qualify for SSDI benefits. If you are earning at a job or through self-employment, you can make up only up to a certain amount to be able to win disability benefits. Therefore, when it comes to disability benefits, the number of hours for which you work does not matter as much as the amount you earn every month while on disability.

So, if you want to work while on disability benefits, you can consult Social Security Disability (SSD) attorneys and experts at Disability Experts of Florida to find out the number of hours for which you can work or the amount of money you can earn while still getting SSDI benefits. Contact us today to understand what can be done in your case.

Substantial Gainful Activity and Disability Benefits

To decide whether you should win SSDI benefits or not, the Social Security Administration must decide if you are engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). It is described as-

  • You earn less than a certain monthly amount, except for disability-related work costs.
  • For 2022, the SGA amount stands at $1,350 per month. On the other hand, SGA is set at $2,260 monthly for blind individuals. This is the upper limit that you can earn in 2022 if you want to still earn disability benefits.

Mostly, it is the earnings that matter and not the hours you work for while on disability benefits. However, there are some exceptions in which work hours matter to still qualify for disability benefits.

When Do Work Hours Matter?

If you earn more than $1,350 per month, the SSA considers that you can support yourself financially. Therefore, the number of working hours should not matter if you are getting SSDI benefits. However, the number of hours you work may matter if-

  • You are earning through self-employment.
  • You are heading a business entity, for example, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Company.

Working On Disability If You Are Self-Employed

When you are self-employed, you can work for several hours without earning hourly wages. In such a situation, the Social Security Administration will consider the number of hours for which you have worked as well as your monthly income.

The SSA allows a maximum of 45 hours of work per month if you are self-employed and on disability benefits. This is roughly 10 hours per week and the SSA will also consider whether you are the only one working for your business. Apart from the limitation on the number of hours, you should also not be involved in the substantial gainful activity in terms of earnings.

Number Of Hours You Can Work on Disability If Working at A Job

If you are not self-employed and working for someone else at a job, the number of working hours is not as important. Generally, it is your monthly earnings that are taken into consideration for deciding whether you can continue getting disability benefits. However, if you work for too many hours, it may affect your case.

So, for example, you work close to the hours for a full-time job but do not earn $1,350 which would have led to you getting involved in SGA. Still, the SSA may consider that you are able to work full-time and therefore not entitled to benefits. In such a case, it will be difficult to convince the Social Security Administration that you are unable to work because of your disability condition and therefore entitled to SSD benefits.

How Are Your Working Hours Decided?

If you are self-employed and on disability, the SSA will use one of the following two tests to track your working hours-

1). The Countable Income Test

It is used if:

  • If you have been on SSDI benefits for over two years.
  • You have started freelance work or a small business.

2). The Three Tests

If you have been receiving disability benefits for less than two years, the Social Security Administration will use the Three Tests. It includes the significant services and income test, the comparability test, and the worth of work test to track the number of your work hours in a month.

Call Disability Experts of Florida today

At Disability Experts of Florida, our Social Security Disability (SSD) attorneys and experts can help you get the information you need. We are committed to fighting for the benefits you need and deserve. If you are already on disability and want to know the number of hours for which you can work, we may be of help to you. Contact us today for a free case review and consultation.

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