Employment Services
General Information Regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) while working
The following general information is provided as a basic understanding of how the Social Security Administration determines beneficiary’s payments while working and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Social Security Disability Insurance
As SSDI beneficiaries, they are first entitled to a Trial Work Period (TWP) allowing the beneficiaries to test their ability for a nine-month period that does not have to be used consecutively. The nine-month TWP period threshold is $700.00 for 2009. Whenever a beneficiary’s earnings are more than $700.00 in gross wages within a calendar month, Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider them to have used one month of the nine-month TWP.
At the conclusion of the TWP, there will be an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During their EPE the beneficiaries will receive their SSDI payments only when their gross wages do not exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity Level (SGA) for 2009. The SGA amount is $1,640.00 for individuals who are blind; for others the SGA amount is $980.00 a month. The beneficiary will be able to request work incentives; however these expenses must be pre-approved by the Social Security Administration.
When beneficiaries first becomes eligible for SSDI, there is a 24 month waiting period before they can receive Medicare. Following the completion of their TWP, their Medicare coverage may be extended for up to 93 months (7 years and 9 months) as they continue to work.
Supplemental Security Income
The Federal Payment Standard for 2009 for individuals is $674.00 and for couples it is $1,011.00. As a beneficiary’s earned income increases, Social Security will adjust the SSI payment based on wages reported to Social Security Administration. The basic formula that Social Security uses to determine how much a beneficiary will receive monthly is determined by the total gross earned income that is reported by the beneficiary at the beginning of every month. The basic formula takes the gross wages minus $85.00, then divides by 2 to determine how much will be deducted from the SSI check.
Using Work Incentives-work incentives could be included to offset a beneficiary’s earned wages.
Medicaid Coverage-within the state of Michigan, SSI beneficiaries are automatically entitled to Medicaid at the date of entitlement.
Social Security Administration 2009 Cost of Living Allowances (COLA)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Medicare Premiums |
$ 674.00/month
$ 700.00/month $ 980.00/month $ 96.00/month |
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