[ranger47]

Hmm, this is not correct. I work as a employment specialist for individuals with developmental disabilities, and they rarely, if ever, lose SSI or SSDI if they start working, so long as they stay under certain thresholds (hours, wage and assets). We work closely with benefits counselors to figure out where the line is with each individual, then leverage our relationships with employers to help said individual hit that sweet spot where they are working as much as allowed while still able to collect.

This always results in the individual making far more than just collecting disability alone, even if the payments are reduced.

The idea of "all or nothing" is a myth that prevents a lot of folks on disability who want to work from doing so. If you happen to be such an individual, please reach out to a benefits counselor in your state and set up a meeting.

[adinb]

Are you referring to Social Security benefits counselors? They are notoriously difficult to get ahold of (in NM); you have to go in person and wait in a large room for (usually) hours with several hundred people. And then what you’re told varies depending on the person.

[watersb]

A close friend of ours tried to work part time, reported everything, worked with job counselor etc. but after six months was unable to continue work.

It took her another six months to get it all straightened out.

It's risky. The case was well documented, a lifetime of cerebral palsy and complications, seizures. And yet the disability benefits were very brittle.