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• SSA: Ticket-to-Work Program
• Posted: 2008-01-16 13:45:17 By Darran Z
• It seems many are confusing the fact of working while Disabled. I suggest everyone who is considering getting SSDI and think they can work and apply for it read the "Ticket To Work" Program and publications of the SS site.
  
  The way this works is set up for those who ARE ALREADY ON SSDI and trying to get back to work. NOT WORKING AND APPLYING FOR SSDI, it won't fly that way. They will deny you if you are working, even part-time, no matter how much money you are making. The amount of money you earn while trying to apply for SSDI is irrelevant as they look at you as being able to work, not what you do.
  
  The trick of the trade is understand HOW these rules apply to you. Understanding the different phases (Trial work period, Extended period, and the final period--can't remember what it's called). Each have DIFFERENT rules applying for the $1570 that someone who is Statutory Blind to be able to work and keep their SSDI benefits.
  
  But if you are currently working and thinking you can apply for SSDI and keep your job (even if your income is below the SGA limit of $1570) you will be in for a surprise. I can gaurantee you will be denied.
  
  Darran

• Re: SSA: Ticket-to-Work Program
• Posted: 2008-01-16 16:23:36 By Bradley C
• Darran,
  What happens if let's say.. I was in the website / computer business before I was legally blind. My friend brings his PC over and says "hey man can you help me fix my pc, I'll pay you $50 bucks." I say sure I'll help and he pays me 50 bucks... how do they look at this?

• Re: Re: SSA: Ticket-to-Work Program
• Posted: 2008-01-16 16:45:08 By Darran Z
• If it was a one time thing then they would likely disregard this. Secondly, would you be reporting this to the IRS? How can anyone know you earned $50?
  
  The SSA knows you are working only by two ways:
  
  1. they see your employer paying SS taxes
  2. You file your tax returns and see self-employment (1099 forms, etc).
  
  But if you are getting cash under the table, what difference does it make?

• Re: Re: SSA: Ticket-to-Work Program
• Posted: 2008-01-16 17:10:35 By Darran Z
• Brad,
  
  Now that I think about it, you are required to report monthly income if it is above $100. Otherwise, you don't have to report it.
  
  And on a second note...
  
  You can earn more than the $1570 and still keep your SSDI in full, if you know how the rules apply. I could earn double that and still keep the full SSDI. But I won't divulge any details. Sorry folks, this is your homework to find out how that works. :)
  
  Darran

• Re: SSA: Ticket-to-Work Program
• Posted: 2008-01-19 21:35:02 By Natalie C
• I was still working when they approved me. I never stopped working, I just had to reduce my hours as I could't take looking at small numbers all day even with visual aides. I was exhausted and had headaches all the time. I made it clear on my application that I needed to reduce my hours, not quit. That was in 2004. Now in 2008 they do seem baffled that I have been working the last few years, but they also had my form premarked as 'not blind' and had income limits listed that apply to 'non blind disabled persons', so I assume that error triggered the notice. I'll let you know.

• Re: Re: SSA: Ticket-to-Work Program
• Posted: 2008-01-20 13:22:30 By Darran Z
• Hi Natalie,
  
  One thing I have found is that depending on who you talk to you get different answers. It appears in your case that you either slipped through the cracks and got lucky or the people were unaware of their own rules. Others have tried to apply while still working and were denied and that's the way it goes. But you likely just lucked out by way of unknowleable workers.
  
  Darran