Hello Larry, I became disabled in 2015. I am struggling to be able to even work part time while collecting disability. At the moment all I am about to get is my RDSI or SSDI. I am only getting $933 a month. Is there anyway I can see about requesting an increase in my RDSI or SSDI, I know that my condition will not get any better. I was awarded my disability by a judge at 32 years old, I'm currently 34 so I know I won't get any retirement benefits for almost another 32 years or so. I would work part time, but I am finding it incredibly difficult living on pain medication to manage my condition. I am afraid I will not be able to work to help increase the funds I can get. I know that Michigan recently had a Minimum Wage increase to $8.90 per hour, I don't know if that would be a factor in a cost of living increase. I'm really not sure what I can do here, any assistance you can offer would make me extremely thankful.

Hi,

I'm not sure what you mean by RDSI. SSDI is an common abbreviation for Social Security Disability Insurance, so I assume that's what you are receiving.

Your SSDI benefits are calculated based on an average of your highest earnings years, so there is likely no way to increase your rate without returning to work. Even then, you would have to earn more than in one of years currently being used to calculate your benefit rate in order to increase your rate. And, if you work and earn more than $1170 per month, you could lose your SSDI benefits altogether (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf). You should receive any future Social Security cost of living increases that occur, however.

It sounds like your SSDI rate is too high for you to qualify for payments from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs based program (https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/). There are other needs based programs such as food stamps and housing assistance, so you may want to check with the Dept. of Social Services in your area to see if you qualify for any other type of help.

Best, Jerry