The basis for Social Security Disability benefits is that they aid people who cannot work due to a disability. However, the Social Security Administration denies many people in Pennsylvania these benefits because they do not meet the requirements, which includes having a disability that is severe enough to prevent them from working. However, there is a program within the system that does allow you to work and earn money without putting your benefits at risk.
According to U.S. News and World Report, once you start receiving benefits, you can return to work through the Ticket to Work program. This program allows you to earn up to a set amount of money without losing your benefits for a set amount of time. It is part of the transition from getting your benefits to no longer needing them because you have returned to the workforce.
How long can you work under this program?
The program allows you to work and continue to receive your benefits for nine months. Any month in which you earn money over the set amount counts as one of your nine months, though the max amount changes every year. Once you reach nine months, you then have 36 months in which you can still get benefits if you do not earn more than this set amount. However, if you do earn more than the set amount, you will not get your benefits that month.
So, in short, you can work while receiving SSDI, but the SSA sees it as part of the transition to reentering the workforce so you can only do so for a limited time.
This information is for education and is not legal advice.
