As of October 2024, about 14 percent of all employed U.S. adults work from home. The increased number of people working from home has had a substantial impact on Social Security disability claims, as it’s easier than ever for people to earn a living without having to commute. Since qualifying for SSDI and SSI programs require a showing that you are either completely disabled or unable to earn a specific amount of money, this societal shift may make it harder for people with disabilities to qualify for and benefits.
Who Qualifies for SSDI and SSI Benefits?
To understand how the rise of remote work has affected Social Security disability claims, it’s vital to know how people qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits.
SSDI Eligibility Requirements
The requirements to obtain SSDI benefits are:
- Applicants must meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Typically, an applicant must have an injury or illness that’s already lasted at least 12 months, is expected to last at least 12 months, or is terminal.
- The applicant’s injury or illness must prevent them from earning enough money to meet their needs. The SSA’s term for this is “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). For 2024, applicants who make more than $1,550 per month ($2,590 for blind people) generally cannot qualify for SSDI benefits.
- Applicants must have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes.
- The applicant’s injury or illness usually must be included in the SSA’s list of qualifying medical conditions.
SSI Eligibility Requirements
Unlike the SSDI program, SSI benefits are based on financial need instead of an applicant’s work history. The requirements for SSI benefits are:
- Adult applicants must be 65 or older, disabled, or blind.
- Child applicants must be 18 or younger, have a severe injury or illness that limits their daily activities, and live in a household with limited income and financial resources.
- Individual applicants must make less than $1,913 per month in gross wages, while couples must make less than $2,827 per month. There are also strict limits on other assets individuals and couples can own to qualify for SSI benefits.
How Remote Works Impacts Eligibility for SSDI and SSI Benefits
Before remote jobs were more widely available, someone with a severe disability would have a much harder time finding a job. However, the increased prevalence of remote jobs means people who are homebound or have severe physical disabilities have a higher chance of finding a job that accommodates their disability. Therefore, people with disabilities may have a harder time convincing the SSA that their condition prevents them from working.
Working While Receiving SSDI and SSI Benefits
For people with disabilities, the good news about the increased number of remote jobs is that the SSA allows people to work while still receiving their disability benefits in some circumstances. For example, people receiving SSDI can get a 9-month trial work period to determine whether they can perform a job without losing their benefits in the attempt. This trial work period and similar programs aim to strike a balance between providing benefits to those who need them while giving people with disabilities a chance to find a job that meets their needs.
Worried About Losing Your Social Security Disability Benefits? We Can Help
If you have concerns about losing your Social Security disability benefits after finding remote work, the Disability Advocates Group can help. We can assess your situation to see if getting a remote job will affect your benefits. If you might lose your benefits, we can work with you and the SSA to find the best way forward. Call us today or reach out online for a free consultation.