You have a disability. You applied for Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, and you got them. However, you think you may be able to return to work. You’re just not sure.
You would like to work, but you don’t want to throw away your benefits, work for a month, find out you just can’t do it and then have nothing. Is there a way to test out working without giving up the source of income that you already have?
There absolutely is. The government has special rules to make this possible for those who see improvement in their condition and who would like to get back into the workforce. In many cases, you can have a trial period where you work and get benefits at the same time. This may last for as long as nine months. You can test out your abilities and make a decision, along with your medical team, to see if returning to work is a viable option.
If it turns out that you cannot work or that the improvement was not as dramatic and beneficial as you first thought it was, you don’t jeopardize your income. You don’t have to take a major financial risk just to see if you can work again.
This is one of the most common questions that people have about SSDI because it’s a concern and a source of worry. Rest assured, the government understands this position and has options that you can use. Just make sure you know what they are, what rights you have and what steps you need to take from here on out.
