When working with a Social Security disability lawyer, it is helpful to know how Social Security law is changing. The federal laws surrounding Social Security update every October, and this year was no exception. Here’s what you should know about the Trump administration’s tweaks to SSA benefits.
As a citizen of the United States, you only qualify for Social Security after earning 40 lifetime work credits. Each year, you can earn up to four of these credits, so qualifications can only begin to take effect after a full decade of taxed work in the US.
Last year, every $1,300 in earned income resulted in a work credit – in 2018, that number rises to $1,320. Therefore, the amount of earned income you need to receive full work credits for the year has gone from $5,200 to $5,280.
As a person earned Social Security disability, there is a limit to how much money you can earn and still receive disability payments. More than 10 million people qualify for monthly SSA disability payments.
If you are blind, you can earn up to $1,970 each month – last year, that threshold was $1,950. Therefore, if you are blind and earn $2,000 each month, or $24,000 for the year, then you will not qualify for SSA disability payments. Every Social Security disability lawyer follows these figures very closely, and every incremental change can have a large impact.
If you are not legally blind, that number is significantly smaller. You must earn $1,180 or less each month to qualify for disability payments. That is a $10 per month increase from 2017.
For these and any other questions, we recommend you reach out to a Social Security disability lawyer at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen LPA. We are located in downtown Cincinnati, at 810 Sycamore St. 513.721.6500 is our number, and we have many qualified people on our team who are ready to help you. Feel free to contact us by using our online contact form.