Do I have to quit my job in order to get Social Security Disability Benefits?
Do I have to quit my job in order to get Social Security Disability Benefits?
At Sharon Christie Law, a Baltimore Social Security Disability Law Firm, we are often asked the question, Do I have to quit my job in order to get Social Security Disability Benefits? In this video, Sharon Christie examines this question and provides you with the answer.
Official Transcript: Do I have to quit my job in order to get Social Security Disability Benefits?
Hi I’m Sharon Christie your nurse attorney for Social Security disability benefits. Today I want to talk about a question I am asked all the time and that question is do I have to quit my job to get Social Security Disability benefits? Well, it’s a great question and the answer is yes, but it’s more complicated than yes.
So, let me go back and remind you of Social Security’s definition of disabled. Disabled means you have severe limitations from your health problems and those limitations prevent you from working for at least 12 consecutive months. Now, the technical definition is a little more involved in that the technical definition for Social Security is that your health problems prevent you from doing what they call substantial gainful activity. What that means is working, doing any kind of job at all and earning one thousand two hundred and sixty dollars a month or more before taxes.
So, for most people if they’re working full-time, they are earning more than one thousand two hundred and sixty dollars a month before taxes and even though you may be struggling to work and even though you may have reduced your hours as long as you are earning that amount or more by Social Security’s definition you are not disabled. While you can file a case, it will not go anywhere because you are not disabled by their definition. Now what I see with some clients is that they have been working they’ve been working full-time for a long time most of their lives. For most of my clients, but as their health condition has worsened in some cases, they’ve been allowed to reduce their hours and maybe they’re only working five maybe ten hours a week. Depending on what the job is they may be earning less than one thousand two hundred and sixty dollars a month. In those situations, although the fact that you’re working does complicate your case we can at least file your application as long as your income from work is less than one thousand two hundred and sixty dollars a month before taxes.
I know I sound like a broken record every time I say that but it’s important that you understand that threshold because as I said in the world of Social Security disability if you are earning more than that amount by their definition you are not disabled and you may put in an application but it will go nowhere. You can’t keep appealing it because you haven’t met their threshold definition of disabled so in order to be able to file for disability and start the process because remember filing for it doesn’t mean you’re going to get it. Necessarily you have to prove your disability, but in order to even get the process started you must be not working at all or if you are working your earnings must be less than one thousand two hundred and sixty dollars a month.
So, I know that’s not easy for a lot of people to hear I’m not going to tell you I think those numbers are fair because I don’t but I don’t make the rules unfortunately and I think it’s important that you understand exactly what the requirements are before you get into this process.
The Path to Social Security Disability Benefits with Sharon Christie Law
Step 1: Understanding Social Security’s Definition of Disabled
The definition of disabled, according to Social Security, is that you have severe limitations from your health problems that keep you from doing any kind of work for at least 12 consecutive months. This is the first thing we look at when evaluating your case. Your diagnosis is just the starting point. To get disability benefits for you, we must prove that your disabling condition causes severe limitations in your day to day activities.
Step 2: Medical Records in Your Disability Case
You must have medical evidence to prove your disability case. The most important evidence is your medical records that show your diagnosis, your symptoms, and your response to treatment.
Step 3: Don’t go it alone: How Sharon Christie Law Can Help You
At Sharon Christie Law, a Social Security Disability Law Firm, we recognize that no one ever plans to get so sick that they have to stop working. When you need to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits we recognize that you will be anxious about the process and whether you can qualify for disability benefits. Our goal at Sharon Christie Law is to help you win your case and give you the financial stability you need! Why work with us?
We do it all for you: At Sharon Christie Law we handle all aspects of the case for you, from preparing and filing your application through the hearing with a judge. We are with you every step of the way. When working with us, you focus on feeling better, and we focus on winning your case.
We return your phone calls: We understand that you have many questions regarding Social Security Disability Benefits. We never want you to wonder what is happening with your case. We are here to answer your questions. All phone calls and emails are returned within 24 hours. That is our promise to you.
We believe in client education: The Social Security Disability process is confusing. We think it is important that you understand each step in the process. So, we created a section on our website that is accessible only to clients. This client’s only section tells you everything you need to know about the disability process.