Should I Try to Work?

At Chihak & Gustad, we are often asked by people with disabilities if they should try to work.

The answer to this question is complex and depends on facts specific to your situation. We would be pleased to discuss your case and advise you what to do. It may make the difference between getting benefits or a denial of your claim.

Call us toll free at (888) 723-4141 to schedule a free consultation.

Working With Disabling Conditions

The general answer to the question "should I try to work?" is yes. If you are unable to perform the duties of your job, it will provide evidence that can support your disabilityAn impairment that qualifies as a disability under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines must be quite serious. The impairment must render the applicant unable to perform any substantial gainful activity — that is, the applicant must not be able to earn more than a minimum amount of money, determined each year by the SSA. The impairment must completely disable the applicant from working. It must be expected to last for a year, have already lasted a year or be expected to cause the applicant's death. But this is not the end of the qualifying tests. claim. This can be especially helpful in claims for people who suffer chronic back pain and other hard to measure symptoms.

There may be unique factors in your case however, and it may not be in your best interest to work. Certainly, if working worsens or endangers your health, you should not try to work.

Working can lead to a denial of your Social Security DisabilityAn impairment that qualifies as a disability under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines must be quite serious. The impairment must render the applicant unable to perform any substantial gainful activity — that is, the applicant must not be able to earn more than a minimum amount of money, determined each year by the SSA. The impairment must completely disable the applicant from working. It must be expected to last for a year, have already lasted a year or be expected to cause the applicant's death. But this is not the end of the qualifying tests. claim in some circumstances. If you are able to work more than two or three months, SSA and some administrative judges may take that as evidence that you are fit to work. There is also an upper limit on your income — if you make $980 per month or more, the Social Security Administration will consider that to be "substantial gainful activity". This can also lead to a denial of your claim.

Your Situation Is Unique

The question of whether to work depends on these and other factors that are unique to your situation. Chihak & Gustad can evaluate your case and recommend what you should do.

As experienced Social Security DisabilityAn impairment that qualifies as a disability under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines must be quite serious. The impairment must render the applicant unable to perform any substantial gainful activity — that is, the applicant must not be able to earn more than a minimum amount of money, determined each year by the SSA. The impairment must completely disable the applicant from working. It must be expected to last for a year, have already lasted a year or be expected to cause the applicant's death. But this is not the end of the qualifying tests. lawyers, we have a long record of success helping people obtain disability benefitsYou can get disability benefits if you: are under full retirement age, have enough Social Security credits and, have a severe medical impairment (physical or mental) that’s expected to prevent you from doing "substantial" work for a year or more, or have a condition that is expected to result in death.. In taking your case, our goal will be to help you obtain the benefits you need and deserve.