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What you need to know (and a lot you probably don't know) about your Social Security Disability Benefits
A flyer to share with your job seekers about Advocations Free Services for people receiving SSI or SSDI
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Social Security Administration's definition of disability, and what is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as a medical condition that is expected to last for at least one year or result in death, prevents you from returning to your previous job or adapting to a different job, and renders you unable to perform work at the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. SGA is the amount of monthly earned income that SSA considers indicative of significant work. In 2025, the SGA amount is $1,620 per month, or $2,700 for individuals who are blind. Earning above the SGA threshold generally means SSA will not consider you disabled.
2. What are the main types of Social Security cash benefits available to individuals with disabilities?
There are several types of Social Security cash benefits:Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A needs-based program for disabled, blind, or individuals aged 65 and older with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): A disability insurance program for those who have accumulated enough work credits through paying Social Security taxes.Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB) / Disabled Adult Child (DAC): Benefits payable based on a parent's work record to disabled children under age 22 if the parent is deceased or disabled before retirement.Benefits to Dependent Children of SSDI Recipients: Benefits for children of SSDI recipients until age 18 (or 19 if in high school), regardless of the child's disability status.Survivor Benefits: Benefits for surviving dependents of a deceased worker who earned sufficient work credits, including children under 18 (or up to 19 if in school) and potentially disabled adult children if the disability began before age 22.
3. I receive SSI. What are the resource limits, and how can living with someone affect my benefits through the "automatic 1/3 deduction"?
As of 2025, the SSI resource limits are $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources are defined as assets that can be converted to cash, but some items like your home and one car are typically not counted. The "automatic 1/3 deduction," also known as the "presumed maximum value" (PMV) rule, applies when an SSI recipient lives with someone and receives both food and shelter from that person. In such cases, SSA presumes the value of this support is one-third of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) plus $20, which is then deducted from the SSI payment. To avoid or reduce this deduction, you can contribute your fair share of household expenses, sign a rental agreement, live alone or only with dependents, or receive only one type of in-kind support (either food or shelter, but not both).
4. How does working affect my SSI benefits, and what work incentives are available to me?
When you work while receiving SSI, you must report your earnings to SSA. However, SSA has several work incentives: the first $65 of your monthly earnings is not counted, and only half of the earnings over $65 are counted. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) and Blind Work Expenses (BWEs) can be deducted from countable earnings. The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) allows students under 22 to earn up to a certain amount ($2,350/month and $9,460/year in 2025) without it affecting their SSI. A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) allows you to set aside money for work-related goals without it counting as income or resources. Even if your earnings become too high for SSI cash payments, you might retain Medicaid coverage through Section 1619(b). Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) allows former SSI recipients to restart benefits quickly if their work attempt ends within five years.
5. What is an ABLE account, and how can it help individuals with disabilities who receive SSI?
An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a special savings account for individuals whose disability occurred before age 26. It allows them to save up to $100,000 without these funds counting towards SSI's resource limit. Contributions to an ABLE account are capped annually ($19,000 in 2025), and funds must be used for qualified disability expenses such as education, housing, transportation, and healthcare. Earnings in the ABLE account grow tax-free if used for qualified expenses.
6. What is the Ticket to Work Program, and how can it assist individuals receiving SSI or SSDI who want to work?
The Ticket to Work Program is a free and voluntary program for individuals aged 18-64 who receive SSI and/or SSDI and want to work. It connects participants with Employment Networks (ENs) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies that provide free employment support services such as vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, counseling, and training. Participation in the Ticket to Work Program can also exempt individuals from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) as long as they are making timely progress towards their employment goals.
7. How does working affect my SSDI benefits, and what is the Work Incentive Three-Stage Process?
Similar to SSI, SSDI has work incentives to encourage beneficiaries to attempt working. The Work Incentive Three-Stage Process includes:Trial Work Period (TWP): Allows you to work for up to nine months (in months where earnings exceed $1,160 in 2025) without affecting your SSDI benefits.Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): A 36-month period following the TWP. During the first month earnings exceed SGA ($1,620 in 2025) and the subsequent two months (grace period), you receive full SSDI benefits. After the grace period, benefits are not paid for any month your countable earnings are above SGA, but they can be reinstated for months earnings fall below SGA.Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): If your benefits stop due to work and your earnings later fall below SGA within five years due to your disability, you can request to have your benefits restarted quickly, including up to six months of provisional benefits.
8. Under what circumstances could my SSI or SSDI benefits be terminated due to medical improvement or work activity?
Your SSI or SSDI benefits could be terminated if the SSA determines that your medical condition has improved to the point where you can perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). This can be discovered through a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Additionally, for SSDI recipients, if your income exceeds the SGA threshold within 12 months of your disability onset date, your claim might be denied. However, various work incentives and programs, like the Ticket to Work program and vocational rehabilitation, can provide exceptions and allow you to continue receiving benefits while attempting to return to work, even if your medical condition has improved. You have the right to appeal any termination of benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Social Security Administration's definition of disability, and what is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as a medical condition that is expected to last for at least one year or result in death, prevents you from returning to your previous job or adapting to a different job, and renders you unable to perform work at the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. SGA is the amount of monthly earned income that SSA considers indicative of significant work. In 2025, the SGA amount is $1,620 per month, or $2,700 for individuals who are blind. Earning above the SGA threshold generally means SSA will not consider you disabled.
2. What are the main types of Social Security cash benefits available to individuals with disabilities?
There are several types of Social Security cash benefits:Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A needs-based program for disabled, blind, or individuals aged 65 and older with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): A disability insurance program for those who have accumulated enough work credits through paying Social Security taxes.Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB) / Disabled Adult Child (DAC): Benefits payable based on a parent's work record to disabled children under age 22 if the parent is deceased or disabled before retirement.Benefits to Dependent Children of SSDI Recipients: Benefits for children of SSDI recipients until age 18 (or 19 if in high school), regardless of the child's disability status.Survivor Benefits: Benefits for surviving dependents of a deceased worker who earned sufficient work credits, including children under 18 (or up to 19 if in school) and potentially disabled adult children if the disability began before age 22.
3. I receive SSI. What are the resource limits, and how can living with someone affect my benefits through the "automatic 1/3 deduction"?
As of 2025, the SSI resource limits are $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources are defined as assets that can be converted to cash, but some items like your home and one car are typically not counted. The "automatic 1/3 deduction," also known as the "presumed maximum value" (PMV) rule, applies when an SSI recipient lives with someone and receives both food and shelter from that person. In such cases, SSA presumes the value of this support is one-third of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) plus $20, which is then deducted from the SSI payment. To avoid or reduce this deduction, you can contribute your fair share of household expenses, sign a rental agreement, live alone or only with dependents, or receive only one type of in-kind support (either food or shelter, but not both).
4. How does working affect my SSI benefits, and what work incentives are available to me?
When you work while receiving SSI, you must report your earnings to SSA. However, SSA has several work incentives: the first $65 of your monthly earnings is not counted, and only half of the earnings over $65 are counted. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) and Blind Work Expenses (BWEs) can be deducted from countable earnings. The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) allows students under 22 to earn up to a certain amount ($2,350/month and $9,460/year in 2025) without it affecting their SSI. A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) allows you to set aside money for work-related goals without it counting as income or resources. Even if your earnings become too high for SSI cash payments, you might retain Medicaid coverage through Section 1619(b). Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) allows former SSI recipients to restart benefits quickly if their work attempt ends within five years.
5. What is an ABLE account, and how can it help individuals with disabilities who receive SSI?
An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a special savings account for individuals whose disability occurred before age 26. It allows them to save up to $100,000 without these funds counting towards SSI's resource limit. Contributions to an ABLE account are capped annually ($19,000 in 2025), and funds must be used for qualified disability expenses such as education, housing, transportation, and healthcare. Earnings in the ABLE account grow tax-free if used for qualified expenses.
6. What is the Ticket to Work Program, and how can it assist individuals receiving SSI or SSDI who want to work?
The Ticket to Work Program is a free and voluntary program for individuals aged 18-64 who receive SSI and/or SSDI and want to work. It connects participants with Employment Networks (ENs) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies that provide free employment support services such as vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, counseling, and training. Participation in the Ticket to Work Program can also exempt individuals from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) as long as they are making timely progress towards their employment goals.
7. How does working affect my SSDI benefits, and what is the Work Incentive Three-Stage Process?
Similar to SSI, SSDI has work incentives to encourage beneficiaries to attempt working. The Work Incentive Three-Stage Process includes:Trial Work Period (TWP): Allows you to work for up to nine months (in months where earnings exceed $1,160 in 2025) without affecting your SSDI benefits.Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): A 36-month period following the TWP. During the first month earnings exceed SGA ($1,620 in 2025) and the subsequent two months (grace period), you receive full SSDI benefits. After the grace period, benefits are not paid for any month your countable earnings are above SGA, but they can be reinstated for months earnings fall below SGA.Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): If your benefits stop due to work and your earnings later fall below SGA within five years due to your disability, you can request to have your benefits restarted quickly, including up to six months of provisional benefits.
8. Under what circumstances could my SSI or SSDI benefits be terminated due to medical improvement or work activity?
Your SSI or SSDI benefits could be terminated if the SSA determines that your medical condition has improved to the point where you can perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). This can be discovered through a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Additionally, for SSDI recipients, if your income exceeds the SGA threshold within 12 months of your disability onset date, your claim might be denied. However, various work incentives and programs, like the Ticket to Work program and vocational rehabilitation, can provide exceptions and allow you to continue receiving benefits while attempting to return to work, even if your medical condition has improved. You have the right to appeal any termination of benefits.
SSI Work Incentives Estimator
Advocations works directly with the Social Security Administration to help you earn more money and keep your medical benefits.
This tool was created and updated in 2025 to help you see how you can maximize your SSI Benefits.
For a more detailed review, please book a call.