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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Social Security is recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

 

Jack Myers with Social Security indicates the average monthly disability benefit is barely enough to keep beneficiaries above the poverty guidelines. To encourage those with disabilities to return to the workforce, Social Security offers an incentive such as the Trial Work Period.

 

 

Myers notes if an individual continues to work after the 9-month window they will enter into a three-year entended period of eligibility. The individual's disability benefit will either decrease or stop depending on how much they are earning.

 

 

Individuals might be hesitant to return to work due to losing their Medicare coverage but Myers says that coverage will continue for 7 years after you begin working even if your disability benefits stop.

 

 

Social Security also offers a free program called the Ticket to Work. If you contact the program, Myers indicates you will work with a benefits counselor to understand the impact your work will have on your benefits eligibility.

 

 

Myers reminds anyone returning to work to report their wages to Social Security and keep them informed if they continue to work past the 9 months.

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