If I'm on disability can I still get a part-time job?
Question Details:
I was hurt on the job at power plant and it left me with a left arm disability; it totaled out my rotator cuff. I lost my job because of the injury; I was Chief Mechanic. Can I collect disability from the state and get a part-time job to pay for my health insurance? I have been to a hearing for the disability and they gave me the OK to collect medical disability but I can't live on $1900 a month. Can I supplement my income with another job?
Is it Social Security Disability? Actually, you are permitted to work when you receive social security disability. You simply need to make sure that your gross monthly earnings do not exceed the SGA (substantial gainful activity limit) that has been set for the year. The SGA amount lately tends to be adjusted with each successive year (for 2006, this amount was set at $860) and to find out the current SGA amount you simply need to contact the social security office.
In any month that your earnings exceed SGA, you will not be eligible to receive social security disability benefits.
However, it should also be said that individuals who are working and receiving disability benefits may be using up their trial work months. You only get 9 months for your trial work period in a rolling 5-year period and earning less than SGA can make a month count as part of this trial work period. In 2006, making over $620.00 in a given month made the month count as a trial work month.
You may, however, also be entitled to Medicaid. Colorado Department of Human Sevoices has a program to help supplement disability payments. Here is the link. Contact them for help.
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/AAS/adultfinancial_supplemental.htm
