If you decide to work while you are disabled and drawing benefits, then you need to go through the Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work” program. Be very careful to comply with the requirements of that program. You can work a little through this program…
Should I Work while My Application is Being Processed?
You can continue working and still be eligible to receive disability benefits if you are earning under $1040 per month. This is true so long as the job you are doing does not require you to participate in any activities that would tend to show you do not have the limitations you are alleging. For instance, if you are alleging that you have chronic neck and arm pain due to degenerative disc disease in your cervical spine, then even part-time work hanging drywall would tend to hurt the credibility of your allegations.
However, if continuing your work would put yourself or others at risk of harm, you should not continue trying to work. For instance, we speak to a number of people who are working in the medical field and wondering when they should quit working. If you are suffering from medical problems that could cause you to make mistakes that would hurt other people, for instance if you are a nurse, then you should not continue working. If your doctor has told you that continuing your job would be harmful to your health, you should not continue working. Be sure to check to see if you might be eligible for short term or long term disability benefits through your employer before you quit your job.
We serve clients throughout the Carolinas from our offices in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Columbia.