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Example of concurrent benefits with Employment SupportsMany individuals are eligible for benefits under both the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs at the same time. We use the term “concurrent” when individuals are eligible for benefits under both programs. Below we describe how a return to work may affect an individual’s concurrent benefits. Armando files applications for SSDI benefits and SSI on February 27, 2017. His medical condition caused him to stop work beginning February 14, 2014. We call this date his “alleged onset date” of disability. Armando was approved for disability benefits. Armando receives an award letter on June 7, 2017, stating he is approved for disability benefits with his alleged onset date of February 14, 2017.
Armando qualifies for Medicare.
Armando wants to work.
Armando returns to work.
How Armando’s work affects his SSDI benefits.
Is Armando performing SGA? We know from Armando’s pay stubs that he receives $2,000 a month in wages. Armando tells us that he is able to complete only four car repairs a day, compared to his co-workers who complete an average of 6-8 car repairs a day. Armando believes he is paid the same salary as his fellow co-workers. If this is the case, Armando’s employer may be subsidizing his wages. We contact the employer and learn that the employer is paying Armando $2,000 a month, the same rate as experienced employees who complete 6-8 repairs a day. The employer pays Armando the same rate as the experienced employees because he knows about Armando’s disability and understands it takes him longer to complete tasks. The employer calculates that the actual worth of Armando’s services is $1,800 a month. This means that Armando has a monthly subsidy of $200, which is the difference between what he is paid ($2,000) and what his employer says his services are worth ($1,800). Armando takes a taxi to and from work and provides receipts showing this cost is $350 per month. Armando’s treating physician confirms that his condition prevents him from driving. He cannot take public transportation because crowded situations aggravate his condition. Since Armando pays for his work transportation and there is a medical need for him to take a taxi, we can deduct the cost of his transportation expenses as impairment-related work expenses (IRWE). We use Armando’s subsidy and IRWE to determine if his earnings are SGA as follows: $2,000 wages - $200 employer subsidy - $350 IRWE = $1,450 monthly earnings $1,450 is over the monthly SGA level, so Armando is engaging in SGA in the first month of his EPE, October 2022. (Note: We usually adjust these amounts every year based on increases in the national average wage index.) Armando’s SGA level work activity affects his benefits in the EPE.
Will Armando’s entitlement to SSDI terminate?
How does Armando’s work activity affect his SSI benefit? SGA rules are different for SSI. For SSI disability benefits, we only consider SGA when the initial claim is filed (unless the disability is blindness, then we do not consider SGA at all). We do not consider SGA after a person becomes eligible for SSI. However, we must determine whether the person continues to meet the non-disability requirements, including income and resources. We determine the effect of Armando’s earnings on his SSI eligibility and payment amount on a month-by-month basis.
Will Armando continue to have Medicaid? Medicaid will continue as long as Armando’s earnings are below his state’s threshold amount, he needs the Medicaid coverage, and he continues to be eligible for SSI except for his earnings. During this time, he is eligible for an SSI payment for any month that his countable income is under the FBR amount. When Armando’s earnings exceed the state threshold amount, his Medicaid will end. However, he may then be eligible to buy into Medicaid if he resides in a state that has the optional Medicaid buy-in program. Will Armando continue to have Medicare? Armando will no longer receive SSDI payments, but his Medicare coverage will continue for at least 93 months after his TWP (which ended September 2022) as long as he continues to have a disabling impairment (has not medically improved). Armando’s Medicare coverage will terminate on July 1, 2030. Armando could then choose to purchase Premium Medicare Hospital Insurance coverage (Part A). If he purchases Part A, he can purchase Part B. He can qualify for the Part A reduced rate since he has earned at least 30 quarters of coverage. We will base Armando’s Medicare Insurance (Parts A and B) premiums on the rates in 2030, the year his premium-free coverage ends. Armando will have to file an application with Social Security if he decides to purchase Medicare coverage in 2030. He will also have to undergo a medical continuing disability review. Armando can purchase Medicare coverage if we determine that his medical condition has not improved after conducting this review. If Armando still has Medicare when he turns age 65, it will automatically convert to Medicare under the Aged provisions. Summary of Example with Concurrent Benefits
Does receiving disability affect Social Security benefits?Your monthly SSDI benefits, including benefits payable to your family members, are added together with your workers' compensation or other public disability payment. If the total amount of these benefits exceeds 80% of your average current earnings, the excess amount is deducted from your Social Security benefit.
How does disability work with Social Security?To receive disability benefits, a person must meet the definition of disability under the Social Security Act (Act). A person is disabled under the Act if they can't work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year or result in death.
Does Social Security disability pay more than Social Security retirement?If you're comparing these two types of Social Security benefits, then you should know that typically the SSDI benefits pay more. In fact, disability in this scenario is, on average, more than double the benefits you would receive from SSI benefits.
Can you collect Social Security and long term disability at the same time?Can you get Social Security Disability Insurance and long term disability at the same time? Yes, it's possible. If you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, your benefit amount will not be reduced if you are also receiving individual LTD benefits.
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