How Many Hours Can I Work While on SSDI?

To receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must meet specific criteria. If you are earning money, you can only make up to a certain amount to still qualify for benefits. For most people, how many hours you work doesn’t count as much as how much you earn per month on SSDI

If you’re having trouble with your application or aren’t sure what you can do while on SSDI, you can always contact an Atlanta Social Security Disability lawyer. Our firm offers a free initial consultation to help you better understand what we can do for you.

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?

When assessing an individual’s eligibility for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) closely examines their engagement in substantial gainful activity (SGA). This term refers to the level of work and earnings that could potentially disqualify an applicant from receiving benefits. 

The SGA is defined by a specific monthly income threshold, calculated after deducting any disability-related work expenses. For the year 2024, the SGA amount is set at:

• $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals
• $2,590 per month for those classified as legally blind

It’s crucial to note that these figures represent the maximum allowable earnings while receiving disability benefits in 2024. As the cost of living can fluctuate over time, the SSA periodically adjusts the SGA amounts to reflect economic changes.

Therefore, it’s advisable for individuals to stay updated on the current SGA limits each year to ensure they remain compliant with the eligibility criteria. 

 When Do Work Hours Matter for SSDI?

Most of the time, how much you earn matters more than how many hours you work while on SSDI. However, there are exceptions. While the SSA primarily focuses on an individual’s earnings when determining SGA, the number of hours worked can also play a role in certain exceptional circumstances.

Generally, the amount of income generated holds more weight than the actual hours spent working while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, there may be instances where the SSA considers the number of hours worked as a contributing factor in their evaluation.

If you earn more than $1,550 gross income per month, the SSA considers you to be “self-supporting.” Hours are not usually what the SSA looks at if you’re on SSDI. However, the hours you work might matter if:

• You are self-employed.
• You are the head of a business, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC)or corporation.

By understanding the concept of SGA and staying informed about the current income thresholds, individuals can better navigate the disability benefits application process and ensure they remain eligible for the financial support they require.

How Many Hours Can You Work on Disability if You’re Self-Employed?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific guidelines regarding self-employment and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Generally, the SSA permits up to 45 hours of work per month, which translates to approximately 10 hours per week.

However, this allowance is not solely based on the number of hours worked. The SSA also evaluates whether you are the sole proprietor or the only individual working for your business. Additionally, your earnings must not exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is a threshold set by the SSA to determine if your work qualifies as substantial and gainful.

Failing to meet these criteria, either by working excessive hours or earning above the SGA limit, could potentially jeopardize your eligibility for SSDI benefits. You can find out more about who qualifies for Social Security Disability by working with our lawyers in a free consultation.

How Many Hours Can You Work on Disability if You Work for Someone Else?

If you are not self-employed, the number of hours you work is less important. Generally, your monthly income matters most for your disability eligibility. However, working too many hours could affect your case.

For example, maybe you’re working close to full-time hours even though you don’t earn over $1550  per month. The SSA might consider you able to work a full-time job and deny you benefits. It will be harder to convince Social Security that you’re disabled if you can work many hours.

How Does Social Security Track My Hours Worked While on SSDI?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates whether self-employed individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) using specific methods.

The SSA utilizes two different tests to assess this, depending on the individual’s unique circumstances:

• The Countable Income Test: This test is primarily focused on analyzing the individual’s countable income from self-employment to determine if it exceeds the SGA limit. The SSA considers various factors, such as business expenses, to calculate the net earnings accurately.
• The Three Tests: In certain cases, the SSA may apply a more comprehensive evaluation known as the Three Tests. This approach involves examining three distinct aspects of the individual’s work activity.

Which test the SSA uses will depend on work details like when you started your business and how long you’ve been on SSDI.

Countable Income Test

The SSA will use the Countable Income Test if:

• You’ve been on SSDI for over two years.
• You start freelance work or a small business.

The SSA will look at your countable income and any significant services you’re providing.

Countable Income

Countable income is what you earn based on your own work. The SSA will take your net earnings and deduct any:

•  Disability-related work costs
• Unpaid help from family members or other people
• Business support someone provides to you at no charge (“unincurred business expenses“)

 Significant Services

The SSA will also look to see if you are providing vital services to your business. If you’re the only person working on your business, your services are already significant. If you didn’t work on your business, no one would.

If you have more than one person working for your business, the SSA considers your services as significant if:

• You work over half of the total time necessary to manage your business
• You work over 45 hours per month, managing the business

If your countable income is over SGA, you will no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits. There is one exception. If you can show that you are not providing significant services, you can earn over SGA and still qualify.

The Three Tests

For individuals who have been receiving disability benefits for a period shorter than two years, the Social Security Administration employs a specific evaluation process known as the Three Tests.

The primary objective of these tests is to meticulously monitor and analyze the number of work hours an individual engages in over the course of a month.

By applying these rigorous criteria, the Social Security Administration can accurately determine the recipient’s eligibility for continued disability benefits based on their current employment status and earnings.

Here are the three tests:

• Significant services and substantial income test
• Comparability test
• The worth of work test

 If any of the three tests show that you’re earning SGA, you will not get SSDI benefits.

1. Significant Services and Substantial Income Test

We’ve covered what significant services mean above. This test looks at whether you are providing significant services and making a substantial income.

Your business income is substantial if your countable income is over SGA or your average countable income is not over SGA, but what you get from your business is comparable to:

• Your livelihood before your disability
• The lives of non-disabled people in your community with the same type of business

It can be harder to qualify for benefits if the SSA uses this test. If you feel that the results were unfair, contact a Social Security Disability lawyer.

2. Comparability Test

The SSA will consider you to be earning SGA if your work activity is similar to what non-disabled people in your community do in the same business type. The SSA will look at details like:

• How many hours you work
• Skills
• Duties
• Work efficiency and output
• Work responsibilities

This test can also be tough, and you may need to show certain evidence. An SSD attorney from our firm can help.

3. Worth of Work Test

Social Security might consider your work to be SGA if:

• Your business is obviously worth over SGA in value
• Your business is worth over SGA versus what you’d pay someone else to do your work duties

If you do not pass any of the SSA tests, you could be denied benefits or lose your current benefits.

In general, how many hours you work while on SSDI does not matter too much. For most employed people, the SSA will look at your monthly income instead. But if you are self-employed, you will need to pay attention to your work hours.

How Can a Social Security Disability Attorney Help You?

You do not need to hire a lawyer to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. If you prefer, you can apply for SSDI benefits on your own. However, it may be in your best interests to have knowledgeable experts on your side. When you work with an attorney, you will benefit in several ways.

A Better Application

Getting your much-needed Social Security Disability benefits can be tricky. If your initial application is incomplete or contains errors, you may be denied the benefits you rightfully deserve. While you can appeal the decision, it will mean unnecessary delays.

Our lawyers can review your case to determine your onset date of disability or the date when you became unable to work at your full capacity. We will build a strong case to prove that your condition meets the Social Security blue book requirements. While you may want to include everything you think is related to your condition, we recommend that you only showcase the most compelling evidence.

An attorney with experience in Social Security Disability can simplify the application process for you. Your lawyer will ensure that your application contains all the information necessary, including medical documents and other supporting evidence. Working with our team of Social Security Disability attorneys increases the odds of your application being accepted the first time.

Streamlined Appeals

It’s understandable that you may feel discouraged if you are refused social security benefits. However, it’s possible for an application to be denied multiple times. A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you with your appeal.

Our team at John Foy & Associates can ask your doctor for their professional medical opinion, gather any relevant documents, and submit a statement to the Administrative Law Judge. We can also help you prepare for your hearing with commonly asked questions the judge may pose to you.

Effective Testimony

You may be intimidated by the prospect of speaking at your social security disability hearing. We will explain what to expect at your hearing and coach you on how to give effective testimony. We may even cross-examine doctors or other expert witnesses who can attest to your diminished ability to work.

Your attorney will assist you with each step of your case. Whether you have questions about how many hours you can work on Social Security or how much you can make on disability in 2024, we can help. Our law firm works tirelessly to ensure that you receive the benefits you need.

Contact a Social Security Law Firm to Learn More in a Free Consultation 

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system can be overwhelming, and many people encounter challenges in obtaining the benefits they rightfully deserve. If you are concerned about losing your benefits or unsure about qualifying, seek guidance from experienced Social Security Disability lawyers like John Foy & Associates in Georgia.

With over two decades of dedicated experience, our team possesses the experience and resources to provide invaluable assistance throughout the intricate SSDI application and appeals process.

Don’t hesitate to contact them today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. By reaching out today, you can take the first step towards protecting your rights and securing the benefits you need.