How much money can I earn in a year without jeopardizing my Social Security Disability benefit?

I am in the Chicago area, I dont know if that makes a difference. It is near impossible to survive on the amount of money the government provides.

How much money can I earn in a year without jeopardizing my Social Security Disability benefit?
$900/mo is considered Substantial Gainful Activity by the SSA, so anything you earn under this will not jeopardize your payment.





If you are not drawing any SSI, you may earn income from investments, annuities, stocks, rental properties (provided you are not doing the "work" to maintain them.)





A word of caution: Too much "activity" may trigger your file to be pulled by review, especially if you are a younger individual.





You can also contact the SSA regarding the "Ticket to Work" program. See below:





During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. We do not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2006, any month in which earnings exceed $620 is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2007, this monthly amount increases to $640.








Good luck.
Reply:You're very welcome. I'm happy to help. It's my job to know this stuff. :-) Report Abuse

Reply:So, you're able to go out and work but want to continue to live off the rest of the taxpayers. Wish I could be so lucky.








How much can I earn and still receive Disability benefits?





Question





I am receiving Social Security disability benefits. Will my benefits be affected if I work and earn money?








Answer





We have special rules called "work incentives" that help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work. For example, there is a trial work period during which you can receive full benefits regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity and continue to have a disabling impairment.





The trial work period continues until you accumulate nine months (not necessarily consecutive) in which you perform what we call "services" within a rolling 60-month period. We consider your work to be "services" if you earn more than $640 a month in 2007. For 2006, this amount was $620. After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop for months your earnings are at a level we consider "substantial," currently $900 in 2007. For 2006, this amount was $860. Different amounts apply to people who are disabled because of blindness.





For an additional 36 months after completing the trial work period, we can start your benefits again if your earnings fall below the "substantial" level and you continue to have a disabling impairment. For more information about work incentives, we recommend that you read the leaflet, Working While Disabled-How We Can Help (SSA Publication Number 05-10095).
Reply:Social Security has two separate earnings limitations – one that is applicable to everyone under full retirement age and a second, higher limitation applicable only in the year that full retirement age is reached. In 2006, the lower, general limitation is $12,480 with a $1 offset in benefits for each $2 in excess earnings. The 2006 higher limitation is $33,240 with $1 in benefits withheld for each $3 of excess earnings. Earnings limits for 2007 will be announced in October at the same time as the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) is announced.





You should consider starting a business under a corporate name. Get a tax ID. All the income/expenses will be under that corporation and will not be under your social security. Of course, you want to start a business for a legit reason but it also provides you with perks that's not taxable to you.





You should also seek investing in government instruments under a corporate name such as tax liens and tax deeds which can bring you a high amount of returns monetarily. See the book below for more information.