For those unable to work because of a medical condition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a monthly benefit program. As long as you qualify, you can get paid not to work, but the amount is not meant to totally replace your previous salary or really any salary you've earned in the past. This financial deficit prompts many recipients to take on other work to make ends meet. Read on to find out why that may be a problem and how to avoid it.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
SGA is a frequently-used term, and you will encounter it often. If you want to stay on the right side of the SSA, you want to have a good understanding of what it means and how you can avoid it. In simplest terms, SGA is the work you were doing at your last job. It's not only the income you were making but the actual tasks that you accomplished at the job. For example, if your last job was a forklift driver, then your SGA might be things like using your arms and legs to drive the forklift.
Why Is SGA a Problem Now?
To gain SSA benefits, you must be able to show that your medical condition is making it impossible to do some of the primary tasks required for your job. So, if your job is data entry, you must show that your carpal tunnel syndrome is preventing you from doing that task. Once you begin receiving benefits, it is assumed by the SSA that you cannot do that work anymore. If you can do it, you don't need benefits. So if you get a job and that job requires you to use a keyboard in much the same way as your last job, you may not need benefits anymore.
Can I Earn Any income?
Just because you will lose benefits for doing certain types of work again doesn't mean that you are not able to earn some money. As long the amount doesn't exceed the limit each month, and you don't violate the SGA rules you can do so. For example, if your leg injury makes it impossible to drive a forklift again, you may be able to get a desk job. You must stay under the income limit ($1,080 for 2018), and you can work at that desk job if you wish as long as you report your income to the SSA.
Losing benefits can cause an extreme disruption in your financial situation, and you are entitled to an appeal hearing. Speak to a Social Security appeals attorney to find out more about appealing the ruling and getting your benefits and back pay paid to you.
Share
