First of all, you need to take into account that to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance benefits you need to comply with certain requirements. Frequently, it is not so important the number of hours that you have worked, but the amount of money that you have received. Therefore, it depends first on your earnings, but also on the type of employment that you have. For instance, whether you are self-employed or not, matters.
Despite the fact that you are receiving an SSDI benefit, Social Security allows you to work a few hours per week. In this way, you can get some extra money in order to cope with the current cost of living. Unfortunately, for those who would have liked to work longer, it is not possible. Because there is a limit to it. They only let you be self-employed for up to forty-five hours per month. That is about 10 hours each week.
Not only will they check that you have worked for 45 hours, but also the income that you get each month. Of course, they will also pay attention to the number of people who work for you or your business. Remember that you cannot get Substantial Gainful Activity to get SSDI. Apart from those who are freelance, Social Security has another exception to the rule. SSA only allows working a certain number of hours to those who are heads of a company or corporation. Take for example LLC.
Will Social Security check the number of hours I have worked when I get my SSDI benefits?
Social Security will certainly track the time you have worked as well as your earnings while on SSDI benefits. They can use two different tests in order to make sure that you are not exceeding the limit. For instance, they could use the Countable Income Test. If not, the second possibility is the Three Tests. Social Security uses the Countable Income Test after receiving SSDI benefits for more than two years.
Besides, SSA will also make use of this test when you start to work for yourself, that is you become self-employed. Or else, if you set up a small company. Be sure that they will have a look at all the sources of income you might have. They will also pay close attention to any relevant services you provide while you work.
What about the Three Tests? The previous test was for those who got SSDI benefits for more than 2 years. However, for this one, it is when you got it for less than the previous amount of years. So if you got SSDI for less than 2 years, they will triple-check your situation. The first test has to do with significant services as well as substantial income test. Next, they will make the comparability test, followed by the worth of work test. Getting more than SGA will make you lose your SSDI benefit.