Every year the Social Security
Administration (“SSA”) makes several changes to the monetary thresholds
associated with Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Supplemental
Security Income (“SSI”) benefits. It is important to know about these changes,
so you are in compliance with SSA’s requirements.
1.
SSA has
increased the threshold value for full-time work.
In order to be found disabled
under SSA’s definition of disability, you must be able to prove that you are
unable to earn a certain monetary value due to the limitations from your disability.
This value is referred to as Substantial
Gainful Activity (“SGA”). If you are able to work at SGA levels, SSA will not
consider you to be disabled. For 2016, that monthly rate is $1,130.00 for a
non-blind individual and $1,820.00 for a blind individual. Thus, if you are
able to earn such monthly earnings, in spite of any impairment that you have,
then you are not disabled under SSA’s definition of disability.
2.
SSA has
increased the amount that a person can earn during a Trial Work Period.
SSA allows SSDI recipients to
test their ability to work in a program called a Trial Work Period (“TWP”). During
a TWP, a SSDI recipient is able to work for a 9 month period without being at
risk for losing his/her benefits. These months do not have to be consecutive. Specifically,
SSA looks to see whether an individual can earn at certain levels over a
rolling 60 month period. If a person exceeds certain monetary levels for 9
months (even if not consecutive) over a 5 year period, then the TWP has been
exhausted. SSA will then look to see if a person has exceeded SGA values (see
above) to determine whether or not, the person is still under a disability. For
2016, SSA will consider any month in which a SSDI recipient earns more than
$810.00 to be a month in which goods and services have been performed at a TWP
level.
3.
SSA has
increased the value of a quarter of coverage.
In order to receive SSDI
benefits, you must be insured for benefits. This means you must have paid into
the Social Security system through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act
(“FICA”). An individual must have worked a sufficient amount of quarters to be
entitled to these benefits. Every year a person can earn up to 4 quarters. For
2016, one quarter of coverage is $1,260.00. This means you must earn at least
$5,040.00 for 2016 in order to obtain all 4 quarters for the year.
For more information, please see:
https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2016.html
