Ask Larry

Disability Benefits

Can You Voluntarily Terminate Disability Benefits Just Before FRA In Order To Claim Widow's Benefits Instead?

If a person receives social security disability -- then I understand that his social security disability converts into his regular retirement social security at FRA (full retirment age) rate at FRA. The person is also a widow (his widow benefits are 1/2 of his own). Can then the person just before reaching his FRA age voluntarily get off disability so he can start receiving survivor (widow) social security benefit until age 70 and then switch to his own retirement regular social security benefit at age 70 (which is higher than FRA social security)?

Posted: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 09:39

Can I Go Back To 2007 For Any Disability?

had cervical neck fusion in 1996. After many years of suffering
from pain and losing jobs, in 2007 I had laminectomy and more cervical
fusions. I have C4 through C7. Since 2007, I have post laminectomy syndrome.
After my last lay-off at age 63, I was unable to work and didn’t understand
that I had disability options. At 64 I started drawing my social security. I
have had many treatments with pain meds, muscle relaxers, PT and now I will
have a spinal cord stimulator that my pain management doctor has recommended.

Posted: 
Friday, March 8, 2019 - 16:48

Can I Continue To Work Part Time And Still Get Disability Benefits?

Thank you for answering my questions. Bet helpful and a lot I still don't know.
As I said I am on the Ticket to Work Program my question is how do I stop or get off this program and can I continue to work part time? Or do i need to see my doctor and leave my job? Also, this best way to explain to them when they come at me...cause they will
Thank you for any help you can provide.

Hi,

Posted: 
Monday, March 4, 2019 - 09:16

Will I Lose My Disability Benefits If I Continue Working?

58 yrs old on SSDI & on The Ticket to Work Program. Once I meet 9 month of making over the allocated amt. I can work 36 months making as much money I can. Also receive Widows SSDI. I have also sold my home making about $43,000.00 In addition to this I am purchasing my parents 2 family which I will live in one apartment. I did get an inherentertance 0f about $65,000.00 which came off the sale of the two family. I know I will have to count one rent as income, not sure how this affects me over the 36 months where I can make as much money, monthly as I can.

Posted: 
Saturday, March 2, 2019 - 10:08

Would Any Bonuses I Receive Count As Earnings For Trial Work Period Purposes?

In a question I asked you recently, you replied that the Trial Work Level (TWL) for SSDI is calculated based on when the work is performed, not when paid. Thank you for your answer. I now have a few follow-up questions:

Although I plan to limit my monthly hours (I work part-time) to stay below the TWL. However, my new employer sometimes pays small bonuses (say, $50) if we get excellent reviews from customers. I have no way to predict if or when I might get one of these bonuses. Would these rewards count as part of my $880 monthly TWL limit?

Posted: 
Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 15:15

Can I Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits At Age 75?

my friends and family have been telling me i should apply for ss disability due to my complete deafness..but im 75 and dont know if i can even qualify.. can u help please? thanks

Hi,

Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) are only payable until a person reaches their full retirement age (FRA), and you can't claim SSDI for more than 12 months retroactively. So, since you reached your FRA more than a year ago, it would be too late for you to apply for SSDI benefits.

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 15:40
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