ArtandColor on the forum has a problem involving SSDI, deafness, and working. First ArtandColor, who apparently lives in California, had a disability and went on SSDI along with some SSI. Going through the Ticket to Work program, ArtandColor found a job. But right after that job started, ArtandColor became totally deaf and lost the job.
ArtandColor wants to be able to collect more SSDI or more SSI because of the newer disability, the deafness. At the same time, the government limits working income for SSDI recipients to $200 a month. Apparently ArtandColor is in a trial work period that is close to finishing, and is at risk for losing benefits? (This part is not clear to me). (Guide comment: the $200 a month limit for earned income is ridiculously low and is not going to encourage working much. Hasn't the government heard of something called the cost of living?)
You can respond to ArtandColor on the forum and share any answers or experience you may have in similar situations.
I HEARD SOMEONE TOLD ME THE STORY. SHE WENT TO LOOK FOR THE JOB BUT WAS SO DIFFICULT. ALSO SHE WENT TO THE STORE AND ASKED HER PERSON FOR AN APPLICATION. SHE TOLD HER TO GO THE MANAGER S OFFICE. SHE WENT TO THERE AND ASKED HER FOR AN APPLICATION. THE MANAGER WON’T GIVE YOU BUT ASKED HER THE QUESTION.. “DO YOU HAVE COCHLEAR IMPLANT?” SHE SAID NO.. THE MANAGER SAID SORRY.. SHE LEFT AND SHOCKED TO HEAR ABOUT IT. SHE WONDER MOST COMPANIES HAVE TO CHANGE NEW LAW AND CAN HIRE FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANTS PEOPLE BUT NOT HIRE DEAF PEOPLE. I SAID OH WHAT… I SHOCKED TO HEAR ABOUT IT. I KNEW SSI/SSD CAN ACCEPT FOR DEAF PEOPLE BUT WONT ACCEPT FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANT PEOPLE. SSI/SSD WANTED TO FORCE COCHLEAR IMPLANT PEOPLE FOR LOOK THE JOB OR GO TO THE WELFARE DEPT. IT S REALLY STUPID BY THE LAW..
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Applying for a job and being asked if you have a cochlear implant? Also, what about deaf people with cochlear implants applying for SSI/SSDI? Are they being accepted or denied?
SSDI income limit is around 900 dollars a month. When someone gets a job, they’re supposed to report it to SSA. They can earn as much as they want pass 900 limit for 9 months, after that, if they exceed 900 after 9 months, they lose their benefits. SSI is based on income, not sure what the cap is. Maybe they considered the SSI additional income? The person should call SSA to get more information. If a person has additional disability, it does not increase SSDI. What increase SSDI is work credit.
Here is what SSA says about work earnings while receiving SSDI benefits:
Question
I am receiving Social Security disability benefits. Will I lose my benefits if I work and earn money?
Answer
Not right away. We have special rules called work incentives that help you keep your disability and Medicare benefits while you test your ability to work. For example, there is a trial work period during. During the trial work period you can receive full benefits regardless of how much you earn. You just have to report your work activity and continue to have a disabling impairment.
The trial work period continues until you accumulate nine months (not necessarily consecutive) in which you perform what we call services within a rolling 60-month period. We consider your work to be services if you earn more than $720 a month in 2010. For 2009, this amount was $700.
After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop for months your earnings are at a level we consider substantial, currently $1,000 in 2010. For 2009, this amount was $980. Different amounts apply to people who are disabled because of blindness. The monthly substantial amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2010 is $1,640; for 2009 this amount was $1,640.
For an additional 36 months after completing the trial work period, we can start your benefits again if your earnings fall below the substantial level and you continue to have a disabling impairment.
For more information about work incentives, we recommend that you read the leaflet, Working While Disabled-How We Can Help (SSA Publication Number 05-10095).
Re: Candy’s comment that SSI is based on income.
SSA gives funds to states for SSI to very low-income persons with disabilities. SSI is set by each state and the amount differs in every state. In California SSI is currently about $750/mo and it is the same across the board. SSI has an asset cap of $2000 for an individual, $3000 for a couple. SSI does have an income cap and that amount varies by state.
SSDI is linked to a person’s past work earnings so the benefit amount differs for each person.
In some cases a person’s SSDI benefit may be so low that it is below the state’s SSI monthly benefit. In that situation the individual can qualify to receive SSI to bring the monthly income up to the state SSI level.