Returning to Work: Articles on Social Security Rules
Five articles on disability and medical benefits, and planning for returning to work, were published in WORLD (the newsletter of Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases), July 1997. All were written by Thomas P. McCormack, a benefits expert and author of The AIDS Benefits Handbook (Yale University Press, 1990). They examine some of the options for avoiding loss of disability and/or medical benefits as a result of working.
The articles look at:
(1) Social Security basics: Social Security Disability Income (SSDI); Medicare Part A and Part B; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California); and being on Medicare and Medicaid at the same time.
(2) Going back to work: the "substantial gainful activity" rule, and the subsidized employment exception (for SSDI only, not for SSI).
(3) The "trial work period" under SSDI;
(4) SSI -- and "Section 1619," which can enable many people who are already on SSI, but then go to work in spite of their medical condition (if the benefits provide the help they need to work), to waive certain disability rules, and especially to keep SSI-related Medicaid even if their income is high enough that the SSI checks stop; this requires permission in advance. Also described are certain SSI earnings disregards for students under 22, and for those who are legally blind (worse than 20/200) of any age.
(5) Social Security's "Plan for Achieving Self Support" (PASS) -- which can offer many advantages, if you have a written, approved plan for becoming self supporting.
To obtain a copy of the July 1997 WORLD with these articles, either call or send your mailing address to WORLD, P.O. Box 11535, Oakland, CA 94611, phone 510/658-6930, fax 510/601-9746.
