Q: How is earned income treated under SSI disability
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A:
When you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, you can still work and earn money, but your income affects your monthly payment amount. The Social Security Administration uses a formula to determine how much of your earnings will reduce your SSI benefits.
The first $85 of your monthly earnings ($65 from work and a $20 general exclusion) doesn't count against your SSI payment. After that, your SSI benefit decreases by 50 cents for every dollar you earn. For example, if you earn $585 in a month, the first $85 is excluded, and then your SSI payment would be reduced by $250 (half of the remaining $500).
You must report any changes in your income to Social Security, including when you start or stop working, or if your hours or wages change. While earning income may reduce your monthly SSI payment, working can often leave you with more total money than relying on SSI alone. You might also qualify for work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) program, which lets you set aside money for work-related goals without losing your SSI eligibility.
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