As most disability claimants know, it’s not a quick process getting a disability application approved, with some cases taking more than two years to get to a hearing.
So, it’s understandable that during that lengthy wait many people look to returning to school, either to attempt to gain a new school, or simply because they have a lot more free time now that they’re not working.
But can going back to school keep you from being found disabled by the Social Security Administration? The short answer is that no, there is not a hard and fast rule that taking classes means you’re not disabled.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that going back to school may be used as evidence that you can work full time, particularly if you’re taking a full class load.
When SSA looks at cases, they don’t look at just diagnoses, they also consider the functional limitations that physical and mental health impairments impose on you.
Let’s say you apply for disability for back pain and anxiety alleging you would miss too much work due to these conditions. It’s hard to argue to Social Security that these conditions are disabling if you are also taking 15 credit hours in-person, as in many ways that is similar to full time work.
Similarly, many disabled people run into this issue once they are approved for benefits if they return to school, as during a continuing disability review, the administration may also use this as evidence that your condition has improved and your benefits can be terminated.
Returning to school while seeking disability benefits is definitely a tricky proposition, which is why it’s important to ask an experienced disability attorney how this could impact your case.
