Overview of Social Security Disability Programs and Work Incentives - slide 4
Mary:
January ’00: $282
February ’00: $0
March ’00: $0
April ’00: $0
May ’00: $0
June ’00: $0
July ’00: $0
August ’00: $0
September ’00: $0
October ’00: $312
November ’00: $408
December ’00: $500
January ’01: $535
February ’01: $540
March ’01: $560
April ’01: $570
May ’01: $0
June ’01: $0
July ’01: $0
August ’01: $0
September ’01: $700 (End of TWP)
October ’01: $500 (First month of EPE)
November ’01: $500 + SSDI
December ’01: $780 (Cessation Month)
January ’02: $800 (Grace
Period) + SSDI
February ’02: $795 (Grace Period) + SSDI
March ’02: $800 (no SSDI)
April ’02: $750 + SSDI
May ’02: $750 + SSDI
June ’02: $765 + SSDI
July ’02: $810 (no SSDI)
August ’02: $800 (no SSDI)
September ’02: $750 + SSDI
October ’02: $740 + SSDI
November ’02: $720 + SSDI
December ’02: $700 + SSDI
Let’s look at an example. Mary is an SSDI beneficiary. She began receiving SSDI benefits in 1999. She began working in January of 2000. If you look at the calendar, she completes her Trial work period in September of 2001. October 2001 is the first month of her EPE. In October she earns $500. Will she get a SSDI cash benefit?
Yes. Because Mary has not earned SGA, which in 2002 is $780, she will receive a cash SSDI benefit. She will also receive her SSDI check in November 2001. Again, because she did not earn SGA. But in December of 2001, she earns over SGA. Note that this is the first time during her EPE that she has earned over SGA. So this will be her cessation month and the next 2 months are her grace period. No matter how much Mary earns in the 2 grace period months, she will receive a cash SSDI benefit. Now in March 2002, Mary earns $800. Will she get a SSDI check? No. Since Mary is in her EPE and earned over SGA she does not get an SSDI check this month. Remember that SSDI is an all or nothing benefit. Either you get your full amount or you don’t get anything. What about in April 2002, when Mary earns $750? Will she get her SSDI check for that month?
Yes. Remember that Mary is still in her EPE and if she earns less than SGA she gets her SSDI check. And this continues until the end of her EPE, which lasts 36 consecutive months. There are work incentives available that can alter this scenario, but I want you to understand the basics before we get into talking about work incentives. We will discuss them a little later in this segment of the course.