Being disabled can be expensive. 

The great news is that Social Security Insurance (SSDI) benefits have risen by 8.7 percent. We at Marken Law will explore how much money you can make on SSDI benefits this 2023.

This year, you can make up to $1,430 (or $2,60 if you’re blind) monthly on SSDI. If you make more money than that, the SSA (Social Security Administration) will identify you as having Substantial Gainful Activity.

What is Substantial Gainful Activity, and How Does it Affect Your SSDI Benefits?

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is the limit for SSDI. SSA will identify you to have SGA if you earn more than $1,430 (or $2,60 for the visually impaired) monthly. This limit means SSA has marked you as independent enough to make a living without needing benefits. 

How Much Money Can You Earn on SSDI?

Now that we have clarified how much you can make with SSDI let us answer how much you can earn.

The SGA does not include income streams that are not directly from employment. These income streams include investments, your spouse’s income, and other assets. 

For example, you earn below $1,470 as a contractual freelancer with a disability. But you have added financial support from your monthly dividends. SSA will not count those dividends. They will only consider your wages as a contractual freelancer. They will then qualify you for SSDI benefits. 

Can You Still Receive my SSDI Benefits if my Income Surpasses the SGA?

Yes, you can still receive your SSDI benefits within a Trial Work Period. This period is the first nine mounts you earn above the SGA amount. 

The Trial Work Period only counts the months you earned above SGA. You can subtract expenses related to your disability from your earnings to determine your monthly income.

If you earned $1,500 a month and paid $35 for monthly adaptive equipment, your actual earning is $1,465. Therefore, you will not enter the Trial Work Period.

However, what if you get a raise and earn $1,600 for one month? After you pay $35 for your monthly adaptive equipment, you will still have $1,565. That is more than the SGA limit. Your income then counts as one month of the Trial Work period. 

But if your income drops below $1,470, it will not be counted as another month of the Trial Work Period.

If you have worked for nine months above the SGA, you will continue receiving your SSDI. However, when the trial work period ends and you still earn above the SGA, the SSA will consider you no longer disabled, and your SSDI payments will stop.

What Other Reasons Your SSDI Benefits might Stop?

There are other scenarios when your SSDI benefits discontinue. For example, some scenarios related to the age limit:

• You reach retirement age at 66 and are eligible for social security retirement benefits instead.
• Suppose you receive benefits as a dependent under 18 with your parents in receipts. Once you turn 18, the benefits may stop.

Another factor when your SSDI benefits may change is if you get incarcerated:

• Your SSDI benefits will cease after 30 days of jail time if imprisoned. The good news is that it will continue a month after your release. But your case may become different if you participate in a rehabilitation program.
• If convicted of a felony but not incarcerated, your SSDI may cancel. 
• If you’re convicted of a misdemeanor, your benefits may continue unless you are imprisoned for 30 days or more.

How can You Maintain Your SSDI Benefits?

To maintain your SSDI benefits, always maintain contact with the SSA and your doctor. Having as many regular checkups with your doctor as possible will help confirm that you still have a disability. In addition, maintaining contact with the SSA and notifying them of any changes to your circumstances will allow them to instruct you on keeping your benefits.

For example, if you get a job without notifying the SSA first, they may consider you no longer disabled. They will then schedule a re-examination of your SSDI qualifications or cancel your benefits. 

Will the Income Limit for SSDI Affect my SSI? 

While SSDI is based on disability and work credits, Social Security Income (SSI) is based on age or disability with limited income and resources.

The answer will vary from person to person. Whether you qualify for SSD and/or SSI will depend on the nature of your disability and income. We advise you to qualify and find out rather than never trying at all. But let’s look at it numerically for now.

While the income limit for SSDI is $1,470 monthly (with some income streams excluded from the SGA), it can be different for SSI.

To qualify for SSI, you must earn less than $794 monthly. For SSI, some assets may count as monthly income, and some may not. 

You are probably thinking, “If I earn below $1,470 a month but more than $794 a month, then does that mean I can keep my SSDI benefits but not my SSI benefits?”

The answer once again depends on the state of your disability and income. Try to qualify for the SSA to find out. 

Do I Qualify for SSDI and SSI Benefits?

SSDI benefits have increased by 8.7% this 2023. This is excellent news for people with disabilities who needs government support. However, it would help if you strengthened your case to qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits. An advocate can make a difference in qualifying for the benefits you need. 

Here at Marken Law, we present our clients’ cases and file the paperwork. Schedule a consultation to get the benefits you deserve.

To learn more, please check out -

Down Payment Assistance in Florida for Homebuyers

Down payment assistance is an important tool for many homebuyers, especially those who are struggling to save up for a traditional 20% down payment. In Florida, there are several programs available to provide assistance with down payments to help make homeownership more accessible and attainable.  Learn more by visiting hometownheroesprogram.org.

One of the most well-known down payment assistance programs in Florida is the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). This state-run program provides assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers in the form of a second mortgage that can be used towards a down payment and closing costs. This assistance can be a huge help to those who are unable to save up the money for a down payment, and it can be especially beneficial for first-time homebuyers.

Another important program in Florida is the Federal Home Loan Bank’s (FHLB) Affordable Housing Program. This program provides grants to local organizations that can then be used to help homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. This program has been particularly effective in helping low- and moderate-income homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership.

In addition to these programs, there are also many private organizations and non-profits in Florida that offer down payment assistance. These groups often work with local banks and lenders to provide assistance to homebuyers who meet certain criteria, such as income limits or other eligibility requirements.  Find out more by visiting hometownheroesprogram.org.

Down payment assistance can be a lifesaver for many homebuyers, as it helps to bridge the gap between the amount they have saved and the amount they need to purchase a home. This can be especially helpful for first-time homebuyers, who may not have the financial resources to make a large down payment.

It’s important to note, however, that down payment assistance programs often come with certain requirements and restrictions. For example, homebuyers may need to attend a homebuyer education course or meet certain income limits. In addition, they may also need to use a specific lender or bank that is approved by the program.

Despite these requirements, down payment assistance can be a valuable tool for homebuyers who are struggling to save up for a down payment. With the help of these programs, many homebuyers are able to achieve their dream of homeownership, even if they don’t have the financial resources to do so on their own.

In conclusion, down payment assistance programs in Florida play a crucial role in helping homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership. Whether provided by the state or by private organizations, these programs offer much-needed support to those who are struggling to save up for a down payment. With their help, many homebuyers are able to overcome the financial barriers to homeownership and achieve a more secure and stable future for themselves and their families.

Getting Birthday Celebration Event Invitations is rather very easy and also takes little time. A lot of invitations you will discover are either sent using e-mail or are offered through sites that offer printing services at a practical price. If you intend to use an on the internet printer, you need to initially examine their site to see if they have - what you`re seeking. If they don`t, you can look for “Birthday Party Invitations” on Google as well as discover numerous carriers. Some companies focus on a details item, while others market common invites for all occasions.

Buying Custom Birthday Event Invitations is rather basic and contains 3 main steps: producing the invitation, printing and mailing them to the visitor. Your invites will include an embroidered pre-addressed envelope to ensure that they can be returned to you with full shipping. If you would rather have your visitors resolve their envelopes themselves, that`s flawlessly fine too. Simply inspect and see if the business you pick offers that include as part of their service. Or else, you`ll need to include an extra cost.

Producing your very own birthday celebration event invitations is in fact truly easy. Simply go online as well as locate some design templates that you like which have basic words on them. After that, open up the theme and also enter your message. If it`s a word file, it ought to simply open in a word processor. If you wish to do it by utilizing a notepad, you can additionally do this.

Currently, if you`re publishing your own invites, make sure to - go into the day, day, time and place. Keep in mind to place the name of the individual to whom the birthday is being given. You can also place the venue or area of the party. For instance, if you`re intending a kids birthday event, you might invite visitors by email. Nevertheless, if it`s a couples` birthday celebration, you may want to send physical invites.

Developing the actual design of the birthday invitation will certainly depend upon your tastes and spending plan. There are great deals of different means you can tackle doing this. You can utilize clip art or just plain develop a photo picture of your own. The web has great deals of free layouts that you can make use of. If you have even more cash, you can make use of printable styles from the web as well as upload them onto supply photos hosting sites. Then, you can choose your shades for your welcomes.

When it concerns developing the welcomes, be sure to select something that mirrors the age group that - your visitors will certainly go to your event. If it`s a child`s birthday celebration event, after that go with animes, animals, or forms. If it`s a couples` celebration, choose something that will certainly remind individuals of their relationship. Some concepts include pictures of you and also your companion, or a specific desire you both have for one another. Various other layouts may show sporting activities, such as a racquetball collection or baseball bat.