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SSI Work Incentive - 1619(a)

SSI Cash Benefits for those with earnings at or above SGA level:

The 1619(a) work incentive allows you to have earned income over the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount without losing your continuing eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To qualify for this work incentive, you must:

·                        Have been eligible for and received an SSI payment based on disability for at least 1 month before you began working at the SGA level;

·                        Still be disabled; and

·                        Meet all other eligibility rules, including the income and resources tests.

NOTE: If you are blind, this does not apply to you because current law doesn’t apply the SGA requirement to individuals who are blind.

Your eligibility for SSI will continue for as long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements and the income and resources tests. SSA will continue to figure your SSI payment amount in the same way as it does for earnings under the SGA amount, by reducing your cash benefit by $1 for every $2 of earnings.

SGA is not a part of the calculation for when the 1 for 2 check reduction starts. SSA always reduces your cash benefit by $1 for each $2 of earnings that are over the $65 Earned Income Exclusion (plus any part of the $20 General Income Exclusion not applied to unearned income).

If your state provides Medicaid to individuals on SSI, you will continue to be eligible for Medicaid. When you reach earnings that cause your cash benefit to go to zero, you can continue to receive Medicaid coverage under the 1619(b) work incentive.

NOTE: 1619(a) goes into effect only after you have established your initial eligibility for SSI. Until you receive your final disability determination letter from SSA saying that you are eligible, and at least 12 months have passed since the date of onset for your disability, earning over SGA can cause you to become ineligible even if you are already receiving cash benefits.

See Also:

SSI Work Incentives

Work Incentives Overview

SSA Red Book

Source

SSA POMS - SI 02302.010 1619 Policy Principles:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0502302010

SSA POMS - DI 13010.110 Return to Work Within A Year Of Onset (Title XVI):
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0413010110

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