I am on SSDI but work under the table babysitting for about $600 a month. I lost the babysitting job due to covid. Can I apply for UI/ pandemic unemployment while being on SSDI? and how do I go about doing it?

Hi,

Drawing unemployment benefits wouldn't have any effect on your Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, but I'd be surprised if you qualify for unemployment if you haven't been reporting your earnings. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, though, so I don't actually know for sure whether or not you could qualify for unemployment insurance. Nor can I give you any advice on how to go about applying for unemployment.

By the way, monthly earnings of $600 wouldn't have any adverse effect on your SSDI benefits, since that amount is too low to even count as a trial work month (TWP). It's also way below the amount that Social Security considers to be substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is $1,260 per month (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf). Regardless, though, you should always report any earnings that you have to Social Security if you're receiving disability benefits. You should also file any tax returns required by the IRS and pay any appropriate taxes.

Best, Jerry