Russell Gloor, a National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, recently provided advice to a 64-year-old man claiming Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) while thinking about returning to work. He explained that the SSDI program only considers the claimant’s monthly earnings. Earnings that exceed monthly disability payment limits in any month of 2024 may lead to a cancellation of the benefits. The repaying process of benefits over these months might also be retroactive.

The individual was advised to consider joining the Ticket to Work program offered by Social Security. The beneficial program provides a 9-month Trial Work Period over five years that allows one to earn more than $1,110/month without risking the SSDI benefits. If the disability returns after the trial period, SSDI benefits could be reinstated without the lengthy new application process.

However, whether the benefits will improve at the full retirement age (FRA) is dependent on multiple factors, including the time of disability onset, accumulated Social Security credits, and lifetime earnings. Earnings while on SSDI could potentially increase the benefit, but there are no guarantees. Under normal circumstances, the SSDI benefit would automatically convert into regular SS retirement benefits at the same amount as those received while on SSDI at the FRA.

To safely transition back to work, the individual was advised to contact Social Security to explore the possibility of enrolling in the Ticket to Work program.

For those facing similar situations and needing assistance understanding SSDI regulations, resources like eddcaller.com provide valuable assistance. Eddcaller can help individuals navigate through their queries on such disabilities. This website can guide people on how to contact SDI or how to speak to someone at edd disability, truly making the process seem less daunting. The articles help users understand policies, claims, and available benefits better, which can be highly beneficial for anyone intending to return to work while still under SSDI.