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Hernando Today

S.S. Guidelines For Part-Time Work

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By ADON TAFT

Life to the Fullest

Published: May 5, 2008

QUESTION: Because of a disability, I receive benefits from Social Security. Although I am not going to improve, I feel that I could work a little to make ends meet. My question is: What are the guidelines for part-time work with a disability?
While I would like to work some, I do not want to jeopardize my benefits. So, if I work as a part-time security guard, will I lose any benefits? Will Social Security say that, if I can work part time, then I can work full time?
The problem is that I am not able to work full time, but I cannot make it on the income I receive from Social Security.

J.H.
Spring Hill

ANSWER: Social Security publication No. 05-10095 is a leaflet called "Working While Disabled -- How We Can Help" is available to you on the Social Security Administration Web site, http://www.ssa.gov/, or by calling the regular phone number, 1-800-772-1213.
There you will find that there are special rules that make it possible for those receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments as long as you inform Social Security of what you are doing.
First, there is a nine-month trial work period (not necessarily consecutive but a total within a 60-month period) when you can test your ability to do a full-time job. There is no impact on the amount of your benefit no matter how much you earn during that time, but you must earn at least $670 a month (after expenses) before it counts as a trial work month during 2008. That amount could change next year.
Following the trial period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive disability benefits (assuming you remain disabled) for any month your earnings are not considered "substantial," which in 2008 is $940 ($1,570 if your disability is blindness). Your expenses related to work are deducted from your earnings before calculating whether you have "substantial" earnings.
At any time during the five years following your trial period you find you no longer are able to continue working, your benefits can be resumed without going through the waiting period. And free Medicare Part A will continue during that five-year period if you lose benefits because you earned too much but you still are disabled.
There are similar but different rules for those on SSI.

QUESTION: Previously you have mentioned in your column that the United States has international agreements to coordinate Social Security with retirement, survivors and disability insurance programs in 16 other countries. I would appreciate it if you would identify those countries.

N.N.
Cooper City

ANSWER: The U.S. has agreements with Canada and European counties: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Luxembourg and Ireland.

If you have questions about any issues connected with aging, except medical conditions, please write to Life to the Fullest, Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla. 34601, or send e-mail to adontaft@yahoo.com. Please include your name and address.

Adon Taft is a resident of Brooksville.

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