Most Kissimmee residents seek to obtain and maintain a job until they reach retirement age. Unfortunately, some workers face obstacles and hardships, such as suffering a work-related injury or a debilitating injury in other types of incidents. Such a situation is not only frustrating, but it also can be overwhelming. The individual is now unable to work. Whether this is temporary or permanent, it is important to understand what steps a disabled worker can take to recover necessary Social Security benefits, and how they could safely return to work again.
SSD benefits and SSI are used to assist those unable to work due to a disabling condition. For some individuals, this will only last a year or so, making it a real possibility that they will return to work in the next few years. The Social Security Administration understands that it is important for many recipients to return to a self-sufficient and self-supportive status; therefore, various work incentive programs have been established.
If a recipient attempts to return to work but is unsuccessful, it is important to understand how this could impact benefits. With regard to SSI benefits, this does not factor in when the SSA calculates these payments. If a recipient is participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation program so they can eventually return to work, his or her benefits will continue until the program is completed.
In other cases, recipients may want to attempt a trial work period. This lasts for nine months and allows the worker to determine if he or she can return to a normal work life and produce enough earnings to meet their needs. During this trial period, monthly payments will continue. Additionally, if an applicant has proven that he or she can return to work after a trial period, it is possible to automatically have disability benefits reinstated if his or her earnings drop below substantial gainful activity.
Returning to work after a disabling injury can be a major step for individuals. It can be scary and joyful at the same time; however, most workers are nervous about becoming reinjured or not making enough money to meet their needs. Because of that, it is important to know what options are available to recipients attempting to return to work.
Source: SSA.gov, “Work Incentives – Detailed Information,” accessed April 30, 2017
