SSDI and Going Back to Work
Many people who receive Social Security Disability benefits are able to return to work after a recovery period. However, for individuals who wish to return to work but are still struggling with their disability on a daily basis, surrendering their benefits to seek employment can be nerve-racking.
If a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipient chooses to go back to work, only to find they are unable to meet their job requirements and expectations, then they are left without benefits to fall back on. However, if they never go back to work and rely indefinitely on the Social Security system, they cannot earn any additional income outside of their allotted benefits.
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers programs to disability beneficiaries that allow them to undergo a trial work period without losing SSDI.
SSDI Return to Work Programs
The Social Security Administration offers work incentive programs to assist in vocational rehabilitation. These programs allow disabled individuals to return to work without immediately sacrificing their disability benefits. These programs include:
- Ticket to Work (TTW) Program
- Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Program
The Ticket to Work Program allows people who receive SSDI to undergo a trial period where they can return to work without endangering their SSDI eligibility. If at any point the individual cannot continue working, their benefits are reinstated and they don’t have to apply for SSDI again.
The Plan to Achieve Self-Support program is designed for both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. The PASS program allows recipients to create a written back-to-work plan and submit it to the SSA, after which portions of the recipient’s income will be deducted to pay for expenses that go towards achieving their work goals. This allows SSI and SSDI beneficiaries to continue receiving benefits while they return to work on a trial basis.
Contact Us at O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group
If you’re receiving SSI or SSDI benefits and you’re worried about returning to work after a disability, or while still dealing with your condition, there are ways to return to work gradually without threatening your disability coverage.
If you want to learn more about these Social Security programs, or you have other questions about Social Security Disability benefits, contact O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group. Our team of Norfolk Social Security Disability lawyers are here to help you get back on your feet.
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