What to AVOID if You Are Receiving #SSDI or #SSI Benefits | Beacon Disability

What to Avoid If You’re Receiving SSDI or SSI Benefits

If you are currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, it’s important to be mindful of actions that may affect your eligibility or the amount you receive.

My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better. In this post, we will discuss some things that you may want to consider avoiding if you’re currently receiving Social Security disability benefits.

1. Engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity

If you are truly disabled and unable to work, you will want to avoid earning income that exceeds the substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount set by the Social Security Administration. This amount changes from year to year, and it is important to pay attention to that.

Additionally, if you’re receiving SSI benefits, you will want to be careful about any earnings at all, as certain earnings can impact the actual benefit amount that you receive from SSI.

2. Failing to Report Changes

You want to promptly report any changes in your:

Income
Employment status
Living situation
Marital status
Or other relevant factors

Failure to report these changes accurately and in a timely manner can result in the overpayment or total loss of benefits.

3. Exceeding Resource Limits

SSI has limits on the amount of assets or resources that you are allowed to have while receiving benefits. You’ll want to avoid accumulating resources that exceed the limits set by the Social Security Administration, such as:

Cash
Savings
Investments
Real estate

If you find that you are exceeding that threshold, you do want to let the Social Security Administration know, as they may need to pause or terminate your SSI benefits depending on your income and assets.

4. Inaccurate or Incomplete Medical Documentation

Ensure that you provide the Social Security Administration with complete and accurate medical documentation that supports your ongoing disability. Failure to provide sufficient evidence of your disability can result in a denial or termination of benefits.

5. Engaging in Fraudulent Activities

You, of course, want to avoid engaging in any fraudulent activities, such as:

Providing false information
Misrepresenting your disability
Concealing income or assets

These actions can lead to severe penalties and criminal charges.

6. Not Following Prescribed Treatments

If you are receiving disability benefits, it’s important to continue to follow the treatment plans prescribed by your health care providers. Failure to comply with recommended treatments—without valid reasons—can sometimes lead to the suspension or termination of benefits.

7. Overlooking Work Incentives and Programs

If you want to return to work or engage in work-related activities while receiving SSDI or SSI benefits, explore the various work incentives and programs offered by the Social Security Administration, such as the Ticket to Work Program.

Ignoring these opportunities may result in a loss of benefits without maximizing your potential for self-sufficiency.

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