CAN I GET SSDI BENEFITS IF MY SPOUSE WORKS?

SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. It is intended to help individuals when they become disabled and are no longer able to work.

The question often comes up, "I am disabled but my wife works. Can I still apply for SSDI?"

The answer is YES. A spouse or other family member who works will not interfere with your ability to collect SSDI benefits.

While the claimant (the disabled person) may not be working at "Substantial Gainful Activity" *(SGA), there is no restriction on a spouse or anyone else in the household working.

I think the confusion comes from the assumption that SSDI has income restrictions or that it is based on financial need. It is not. As long the claimant is not working at Substantial Gainful Activity* there is no restriction on how much income you can have with an SSDI claim.

SSDI is simply an insurance benefit sponsored by the US Government. Workers pay into it -- usually through payroll deduction- and may file a claim when they become unable to work. SSDI does not require you to be poor or have restricted financial resources or income.

• What does "Substantial Gainful Income" (SGA) mean? This term refers to the maximum, amount of wages a worker may earn each month and still be eligible for SSDI benefits. A claimant might work part-time and as long as the wages fall below the SGA amount, the SSDI claim is not affected. So what is the SGA amount? It changes year to year, but in 2025 you are engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity if you work and earn at least $1,620 per month is gross wages or self employment activity. Earnings below that amount are "below SGA."

The goal of the Social Security Administration is not to allow someone to work full time and receive SSDI benefits at the same time. In short, if you can work full time you are not disabled under the rules of Social Security.

Contact The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville if you need help navigating the confusing world of Social Security disability. We specialize in appeals for denied claims and have a high success rate in winning those claims on appeal.

• Free Consultations

• Never a fee unless you win and recover past due benefits

• Our legal fee is based on the amount of money you actually get.

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• Call (256) 799-0297 for your free consultation.