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There are two different Social Security Disability programs.

They are called Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) or Title II, and SSI or Supplemental Security Income.

You must have worked enough quarters in five of the last ten years to be eligible for Social Security Disability.

The advantage of SSDI is that you can work part time and have unlimited assets without reducing your Social Security benefits.

SSI is an income and asset sensitive program. In other words, your SSI benefits are reduced for your income or household income and if you have too many assets then your SSI can be stopped.

When you apply for disability you are asked if you want to apply for SSI.

In most cases you will want to say yes.

There is no penalty to you if apply for SSI and then later are not eligible.

There may be a penalty to you if do not apply for SSI at the time of your application.

For example, if you would have benefited from SSI after being found disabled and did not apply at the time of application then you will lose some benefits.

It could make a difference because Social Security Law says that you cannot be paid regular Social Security Disability benefits for the first 5 months after your onset of disability.

However, you are entitled to SSI for 4 of the first 5 months.

This is the reason you should apply for SSI at the time of your application.

Need help with your Social Security Disability application? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

It is not always the most complicated solution that wins the day.

However, in Social Security Disability cases there is one thing to remember: It is always unpredictable.

You can find people who you would not think are disabled, yet Social Security says they are.

You can also find people who you would swear are disabled, yet Social Security disagrees.

What is going on?

There are multiple decision makers at Social Security.

When you apply, there are people who review your paperwork and medical records in your state and approve your claim or deny your claim.

If you appeal a denial, then another group of people review your file.

If you are denied at this level and appeal, then a Social Security Judge will have you testify and make a decision on your case.

You may appeal the Judge’s decision to what is called the Appeals Council.

You get the idea.

There are a large number of decision makers. Many people who can say no, but you only need one of the decision makers to say yes.

The most important thing to remember is that if give up after someone says no, then you will never get approved.

It is natural to get frustrated and want to give up, but keep appealing and moving forward.

Are you able to work and apply for Social Security Disability?

The rules on work and disability are complex.

The simple answer is: sometimes.

Social Security rules allow part-time work as long as it is below a certain amount of gross earnings.

Remember, gross earnings is the amount before taxes or anything else is taken out.

This year you are allowed to make up to $1010.00 gross per month.

The problem with part-time work before your hearing is that the Administrative Law Judge will sometimes treat part-time work as indicating that you are able to work full time.

There is often a large leap between working part-time and full time, however I have seen Judges who will say if you can do it part-time then you can do it full time.

Of course, full time work requires consistent attendance and high concentration and productivity throughout the day.

The type of work will make a big difference also.

If you are standing and walking and lifting 20 pounds and above or working a highly skilled job, then you are probably not going to win your case.

After you win your Social Security case you have some more freedom to work.

The $1010.10 gross per month is still the limit.

And you must report your earnings to Social Security.

Questions about your Social Security case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.