This is a question we get from almost all of our clients! There are two different types of Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI).
SSI applies to individuals with limited income and resources. The asset limit for SSI is $2,000 for a single individual and $3,000 for a married individual. Any income you earn while receiving SSI would offset your benefits, the Social Security Administration does not count the first $20 of income and first $65 of earnings in a month, after every dollar in income or earnings is counted as $0.50 and deducted from any benefit you would be eligible for, up until the maximum benefit at which point you are no longer eligible. The maximum benefit changes annually, in 2022 it is $841 for an individual and $1,261 for a married couple.
SSDI applies to individuals who are disabled and have a qualifying work history. In order to qualify you must have worked both long enough and recently enough to qualify for benefits. Every year you work you earn up to four work credits per year, depending on how much you make. The amount needed to earn one credit changes annually, in 2022 it is $1,510 in wages or self employment per quarter. Most individuals need a minimum of 40 credits, 20 of which earned in the 10 years immediately preceding the year in which your disability began, however there are special rules for younger workers.
