Yes, if you are earning less than "substantial gainful activity" or SGA, which is $1,070 per month (gross before tax) in 2014. Basically, you could work part-time and still apply for disability.
However, if you are working and earning at least $1,070 per month you are working at SGA level and cannot apply for disability under Social Security regulations.
Remember, that the SGA limit of $1,070 per month applies only to earned income, such as wages, salary, tips or bonuses, etc. It does NOT include investment or retirement income for which you do not perform any work or other valuable services. For example, if you have a rental property that pays you monthly rent, but you do nothing but get a check each month, that money may not count toward SGA income. The same would be true if you receive a monthly retirement check from a former employer, or an annuity from an insurance company, savings account or retirement fund.
Also, keep in mind that the dollar amount for "substantial gainful activity," which is $1,070 per month in 2014, increases each year. So the amount for 2015 will probably be slightly higher. Remember, you do not have to be poor to collect Social Security disability benefits. There is no "means" or "wealth" test. It's just that you cannot be working and disabled at the same time--and the definition of "working" is earning SGA level wages. That's Social Security's definition of "work."
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