If you are receiving Social Security Disability checks in Oregon, you may struggle to make ends meet. It is only natural that you might wonder about whether you can accept some extra work on the side. After all, the work would not make up enough to pay your bills, it would only provide supplemental income. Would that really disqualify you from receiving the SSD checks you need to pay for living costs?
You can earn a small income
The answer is not as cut and dry as you might prefer. According to U.S. News, it is possible to earn a small income without losing your benefits. The question is, how much? The news agency reports that people who receive less than $880 from gainful employment may continue to receive benefits. If you make more than this but spend money on job-related expenses, you may subtract the expenses to bring the actual profit or income down to $880.
You have to keep the SSA updated
Some people may prefer to do this under the table, but this may catch up to you later on. Instead, it is important to keep the Social Security Administration updated on work-related information. This may include the following:
- Start and stop dates for work
- Number of hours worked
- Changes in work duties
- Work-related expenses
- Monthly wages
You may undergo reevaluation
If for nine months in a 60-month period you make more than $880, the SSA may reevaluate your need for benefits. This may or may not cause your benefits to stop. Because of this, it is important to monitor earnings, even if you only plan to exert yourself for a short time.
SSA encourages people to return to work and has a Ticket to Work program created for this purpose. However, evaluate your options carefully before taking them up on this offer. It is sometimes possible to reinstate benefits if your disability later makes it difficult for you to continue to work. Still, it is best to consider if going back to work temporarily is worth the long-term risk.