Tag Archives: work

TRICK QUESTIONS THE SSA JUDGE MIGHT ASK

WILL THE JUDGE ASK TRICK QUESTIONS DURING THE SSA HEARING? Trick questions are not the norm in Social Security hearings. So, you don’t really need to worry about it. Most judges are not out to confuse, upset, or undermine you during your SSD hearing. However, there are some questions that can cause problems for… Read More »

ARE YOU WORKING? IF SO, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS?

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF “WORK” FOR THE SSA? If you are working, according to how the SSA defines work, then you cannot be paid SSDI or SSI benefits. However, work has a very specific meaning under SSA’s rules. Work is defined by the SSA as “substantial gainful activity“(SGA). A person who is earning… Read More »

SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY

THE SSA AND SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA) Substantial gainful activity are the words the SSA uses for “work.” If you file a claim for SSD benefits and you are still working, then you are going to hear the term “substantial gainful activity.” But what is SGA? SGA means “work” over a certain amount of… Read More »

WHAT IS A TRIAL WORK PERIOD?

YOU WON SSD BENEFITS. NOW YOU WANT TO TRY GOING BACK TO WORK. CAN YOU? Do you know what a “trial work period” is? Let’s talk about the typical scenario for a trial work period. You won SSDI benefits and one year has gone by. Perhaps you had surgery and are feeling better. Maybe… Read More »

NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS DISABILITY MAY NOT BE A BARRIER TO WORK

IS DISABILITY A BARRIER TO WORK? On September 5, 2019, the New York Times published Ben Casselman’s article about disability and work. Casselman wrote, employers like Dell, started a program to hire people with autism. Kate Cosway, who has a master’s degree, was chosen by Dell for a 12-week internship, which is now becoming… Read More »