Quite often we hear from individuals who are still working, but struggling, and considering Social Security disability benefits. Here are some "must knows" if you are still working and thinking about a disability claim:
First,
there is no disability benefit available from Social Security if you
are working and earning more than $1,260 per month (the 2020 number). You must have
stopped working to apply--or at least be earning less than $1,260 per
month if working part-time.
Second,
Social Security does not pay a benefit for the first full 5 months of
disability. At a minimum, you must be prepared for at least 6 months of
no income after you stop working. Getting approved within 6 months is,
honestly, pretty much of a miracle. It often takes much longer.
Third,
not being able to perform your past work is not enough, in most cases,
to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If you are under
age 50, Social Security will look at your ability to perform other work,
including jobs that are unskilled, sedentary and simple, routine jobs.
Finally,
you must be able to prove you have functional limitations that prevent you
from working with significant medical evidence, preferably from your
treating doctor(s), and preferably one of those doctors will be a
specialist.
Social
Security disability today is a hard row to hoe. If you are working, I
would encourage you to continue working as long as possible. When you
come to the point where you can no longer work because of medical
reasons, only then is it time to apply for Social Security disability.
If you need our help with getting benefits, please call for a free consultation at no obligation.
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