Indianapolis disability attorney Scott Lewis fields occasional telephone calls from his Indiana disability clients asking what the ramifications will be if they try to reenter the workforce. As fundamental as it may sound, the facts of a particular case always matter. Many Indiana residents are finding they are having a difficult time putting food on the table for themselves and their families during a very lengthy application and appeals process. A few topics Indianapolis disability attorney Scott D. Lewis may encounter may include:
- Are you considering a full time or part time job? If your disabling condition(s) do not permit you to work full time, but you think you may be able to work part time, you may be interested in a term call “Substantial Gainful Activity” or “SGA”. This is an amount the Social Security Administration determines as earnings you can make on a monthly basis and still be entitled to disability benefits. SGA for 2010 is $1,640.00/month for statutorily blind individuals and $1,000.00/month for non-blind individuals. There are different criteria for those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) concerning blind individuals. It appears these amounts will also be valid for 2011, but more information concerning SGA can be found on the Social Security Administration’s website.
- Should you withdraw your claim for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits as soon as you start back to work? Indianapolis disability lawyer Scott D. Lewis usually advises his clients to wait and see if they are actually able to perform a full-time job or a job that creates more than the SGA for a number of months before withdrawing their claim. Many times, individuals believe they can work but find their condition prevents them from performing substantial gainful activity. If you have been waiting for an Indiana Social Security disability appeals hearing for an extended period of time, the thought of withdrawing your claim just to find out that you cannot work when you thought you could, may wind up putting you at the beginning of the application process and extend the time you have to wait for your appeal to be heard.
- When asked by his clients if they should work, Attorney Scott D. Lewis tells his clients if they can work they should. Social Security disability payments are not going to make you rich. Many individuals are surprised to find the amount they receive; especially from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a very low amount. This low amount can make it very difficult to feed yourself much less other family members. The mere thought you may be content and able to make ends meet on this low disability payment may make one reconsider how much pain they can endure to feed and put a roof over the heads of their families.
The above are just a few issues brought up by Mr. Lewis’ clients when considering reentering the workforce. Every case is different and involves different fact scenarios. The aforementioned is not intended as legal advice and you should contact the Social Security Administration or retain an attorney or representative to receive legal advice.
