A Division of the CT State Department of Social Services
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Employment and Your Disability Benefits
If you receive disability cash or medical benefits (such as Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, State Supplement, Medicare and/or Medicaid), there are programs which may allow you to try work and still receive benefits. With accurate information about the impact of work on your benefits, you will be able to make good decisions about your vocational goals, your potential earnings and your health insurance needs. There may be times that you will have the opportunity to earn enough that it makes sense to give up your cash benefits!- You can go to work for a trial period and still receive your benefits. After that trial work period is over, Social Security will decide if you are earning enough to end your benefits.
- There are situations where you can earn over $980 a month after your trial work period and continue to receive your full monthly benefit amount.
- Even if you go off SSDI due to earnings for an extended period of time, SSDI benefits can be reactivated and Medicare can continue for an extended period of time.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
- If you go to work, your check will be reduced gradually, depending on your earnings. Social Security counts less than half of your earnings when figuring how much SSI you would receive.
If you have a disability and receive Title XIX (Medicaid):
- For SSI or State Supplement recipients: If you lose your cash benefits due to earnings, you can continue to be insured by Title XIX, in most cases until you earn $53,537 a year (limit for 2009).
- As of October 1, 2000, you may be able to have income of up to $75,000 per year (not counting spousal income) and maintain eligibility for Medicaid. You may have to pay a monthly premium based on your annual income (and your spouse’s income, if you are married).
- If Social Security determines that your impairment has improved but you still have an impairment which is determined medically to be significant, you may be able to keep your Title XIX benefits as long as you continue to work.
To get the information on benefits, in order to make good vocational choices:
- Contact the Connect to Work Center:
(800) 773-4636 (Voice and TTY)
or E-mail: connecttowork.dss@po.state.ct.us
- Fact sheets are available at all BRS offices (HOW TO CONTACT US) on Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income and State Supplement.
- Contact a BRS office to ask about benefits counseling for consumers.
- Request information and assistance concerning your benefits from programs or agencies with a reputation for providing accurate information.
Programs > Page 4
The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
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