When Social Security approves your application for Social Security disability payments, you will also be provided with several rules to follow to ensure that you never lose those benefits. One of the main red flag problems you might encounter is income limits. To qualify for Social Security you must stay under a certain amount of income each month and to continue getting those funds you have to do so on a continuous basis. Read on to learn how you can break free of those income limits and earn more.

A Living Wage?

To be fair, the Social Security Administration (SSA) never promises that you will be able to completely replace your income if you do qualify for payments. When you can no longer work, however, you may need every penny you can get regardless of how little it might be. Since your monthly payment is based on several factors like your previous earnings, everyone won't get the same amount, but the upper limit on income is the same for everyone (unless you qualify as a blind person).

The Social Security Income Limit

The amount you can earn and still get benefits can change each year and is based on the national average wage survey. For 2018, the income limit for substantial gainful activity (SGA) is just $1,180 ($1,970 for the blind). In most cases you cannot exceed these limits and still retain benefits, but the SSA does offer an alternative for workers who want and need to earn more money, the Trial Work Period (TWP).

A Limited Time Only

The TWP allows recipients to work and earn an unlimited amount of money as long as they do so for only 9 months out of a rolling 60-month period of time. 60 months is about 5 years and you can spread the 9 months out anyway you wish. For example, you might take advantage of the holiday retail season and work for a couple of months each November and December. Doing so you can earn as much money as you are able to, and this could help make it easier to get by on the limited amount you get most months.

Useful deductions

You don't need to use the TWP to earn money, however. As long as you do not exceed the limits and that you do not do work that violates the SGA rules, you are free to do so. It might also be helpful to know that you can deduct money that you spend on certain things from that $1,180 if they are needed for work. This includes things like work shoes, work clothing, and transportation costs.

If you are being told that you cannot qualify for benefits or that you no longer qualify for them, speak to a Social Security attorney for help.