Equalizer Online | Fall 2006

Dear Dolly,

I was wondering if a person that was working and earning about $200 a month would still be eligible for disability. My father has degenerative mild disk disease and depression, with problems from back pain to memory loss. This has progressively gotten worse over about five years, and he has gotten to the point where he is no longer able to hold a full-time job. He is working two to three hours a week delivering auto parts to a parts store. (Not his usual line of work. He previously had a lawn care and snow removal business of his own.)

He is in a bad financial way and is trying to earn some money. He has now been told by a few people that because of his $200 a month, he may be unable to qualify for disability even if his medical records say otherwise. What do you know about this? Thank you. -- Amanda

Dear Amanda,

Before a decision can be made about qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits, Social Security will need to determine if your father is disabled by its definition. Its definition of a disability requires that your father meet the following two conditions: 1) that he be unable to do any substantial work because of a medical condition(s), and 2) that his medical condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, or that it will result in death. As long as your father is working under what the Social Security Administration calls "substantial gainful activity" (SGA), he should still be able to apply for disability benefits. SGA is defined as earning $860/ month in 2006, which is well above the $200/month you mentioned in your letter, so hopefully this should not be a problem.

In general, Social Security pays monthly cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. These benefits usually continue until a person is able to work on a regular basis. There are several special rules, called "work incentives," that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help a person when he or she is making the transition back to work – if returning to work is possible.

The first thing your father needs to do is complete an application for Social Security Benefits AND an Adult Disability Report. These forms may be completed online or call the tollfree number at (800) 772-1213 for assistance. The deaf or hard-of-hearing toll-free TTY number is (800) 325- 0778.

Hope this works out for your father!

Sincerely,

Dolly

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Spotlight: Dear Dolly

In memory of Dolly Hallstrom, who passed away this summer, Equip for Equality staff will continue the Dear Dolly column, by reviewing and answering disability-related questions from readers.

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