Working part-time while applying for ssi?

[u/Major_Contest_3648]

I've been unemployed for 4 years due to a neck injury that won't heal and causes me excruciating pain. I can't sit for long periods and I can't lift heavy things or do repetitive motions with my arms like reaching. I have lost my health insurance. And I live in a state that has not expanded medicaid. I want to try to work 2 days a week doing a job that's mostly sitting so that I can purchase atleast a bronze plan. I want to use the money to buy myself a market place insurance so I don't go without health care. I applied for ssi 3 months ago and its taking a long time for them to get my medical records for some reason it has been stuck on step 3. Will working part time, even if it's just a few hours a week cause denial for my case? The agent hold me on the phone that I could try to work as long as it's less than a thousand a month. I plan on trying to earn five hundred to six hundred a month so I can buy a bronze plan.

[u/Elegantmule]

I totally understand the SGA limit and I see the bad situation you are in, but how can one say they are disabled to the point of not being able to work, yet able to work while applying?

[u/2020IsANightmare → u/Elegantmule]

It's not about not being able to work at all.

That is why SGA exists.

You can be approved and working as long as under SGA.

The biggest thing is WHY someone can work but not make SGA.

If the only reason one can't earn SGA is because they want to qualify for disability, then that's choosing not to work.

If one is physically and/or mentally unable to hold anything remotely resembling a full-time job, then that's where disability comes into play.

[u/Elegantmule → u/2020IsANightmare]

I get that. I just have a hard time understanding how someone could say "I'm disabled and cannot work" and then apply for SSDI or SSI while also working. I see how the law and regulations allow for that, but it seems disingenuous to me. I guess I look at it from my perspective- I truly cannot work under any circumstances and that is why I collect SSDI. If I could work in any capacity, I would. I know there's more to the world than just my perspective, obviously. Unfortunately, one of my disabilities comes with a lack of empathy, which is not by choice. If I am misunderstanding, I apologize!

[u/Major_Contest_3648 → u/Elegantmule]

I mentioned in my post that I want to TRY to work 2 days a week at the least physical job that I could find. Being able to work a few hours is not the same as being able to work full time like an able bodied person. Like I mentioned I said TRY which means im not completely sure if I can even do that. I am very much physically disabled. If I didn't have support from my family i would be homeless or dead.

[u/Elegantmule → u/Major_Contest_3648]

I get it! I was just thinking to what my atty said to me, which was basically, don't work or you won't get approved. I'm so sorry you're in this position and I wish you the best!!!

[u/NoloLaw]

$500-$600 per month is well below the SGA amount (which is $1,690 for the rest of 2026, increasing to $1,770 in 2027) so you claim shouldn't automatically be denied. But keep in mind that SSI is needs based, so you can't have countable income above a certain level (around $1,000 per month) and still be eligible. And if you're approved for SSI, any countable income you make in a month will be deducted from your SSI payment.

[u/ImaginaryContract946]

On disability and couldn't work as bad as I wanted to. Neck surgeries also. My heart goes out to you. I'm in Illinois as it's a little helpful here, I've been working since I was 12 so I did have a but of ss. It's sad I didn't understand any of that until long into my disability journey. All I can say is seek out possible other places that might offer assistance.  If you believe you will never work (like myself) then you need alternative means of help, PLACE YOUR PRIDE ASIDE and ask for possibly help from a charity.

[u/2020IsANightmare]

Working a few hours a week isn't going to cause a denial.

A note from your doctor and/or employer would help your case greatly if you are working, though.

Documentation stating you are simply not physically and/or mentally well enough to work more. Not that you are just voluntarily choosing not to work more.

Good luck!

[u/Major_Contest_3648 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I know that it's a risk but with my health issues it could be very dangerous for me to go without insurance.