Lesson 5: Social Security Income Support

Introduction

Did you know that fewer than 1% of beneficiaries receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits go off benefits due to work each year? On the other hand, at any given time somewhere between 10%-15% of disability beneficiaries are working at least part-time.

While SSA is particularly happy when people are able to get off benefits, they are also very pleased when people with severe disabilities manage to at least work part-time. Part-time work means that you are paying taxes. You are paying into the system that supports people with disabilities. You are making a contribution to the economy and society in general.

SSA has set up a variety of "Work Incentives" to encourage you to work. If you receive SSA disability benefits it really pays for you to take some time to understand these work incentives.

Let's begin by looking at the two types of income support.