I receive SSDI. I am Christian minister. Do social security consider being a minister as working? Could I lose my benefits? Can I have a nonprofit organization to feed the hungry and receive social security diability benefits?

Hi,

Yes, remuneration received for performing services as a minister is considered self-employment earnings. A parsonage allowance, if any, also counts as earnings. For more information on this subject, refer to the following section of the Social Security operations manual: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302505120.

You can generally earn up to a monthly average of $1130 this year, and up to $1170 in 2017, without losing disability benefits. For more specifics on working while receiving disability benefits, see the following pamphlet: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf.

Best, Jerry