How to Return to Work After Disability in Alabama and Florida
Getting back to work
At Byron A. Lassiter & Associates, P.C., we help many clients who suffer a total disability and are unable to work, but who are able to heal and adjust to their disabilities enough to return to work at least part time. Our highly experienced attorney and support staff provide the same level of strong assistance no matter whether you need lifelong disability benefits or whether you are young and determined to return to work and only in need of benefits for a few years.
Returning to work after a disability
Although returning to work after a disability leave is a great accomplishment, it does affect your right to obtain Social Security benefits if you are younger than retirement age. If you are retirement age, your disability benefits transition into retirement benefits. Whether you are still entitled to benefits after returning to work depends on how much you are able to earn and whether you earn more than the limit. In many cases our clients still need and are entitled to benefits, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) may discontinue their benefits or reduce them too much. If your benefits are discontinued or reduced too much after you return to part-time work, we may be able to assist you or your family in an appeal.
How your earnings affect your benefits
If you return to work after disability, your benefits may be reduced depending on your age and how much you earn:
- If you work but are full retirement age or older, you keep all your benefits, no matter how much you earn.
- If you are younger than full retirement age, you may only keep all your benefits if your earnings in 2012 are less than $14,640. The SSA deducts $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $14,640 as of 2012.
- If you reach full retirement age during 2012, the SSA deducts $1 from your benefits for every $3 you earn above $38,880 until you reach full retirement age.
The SSA does not count all income, including other government benefits, investment earnings, interest, certain pensions, annuities or capital gains.
Contact a skilled attorney today to obtain short term disability benefits
Before you begin working again, it is wise to consult an experienced disability attorney like Byron A. Lassiter to learn more about how to return to work after disability and still preserve your right to full or reduced benefits. To schedule a free consultation with Byron A. Lassiter & Associates, P.C., please contact us online or by phone toll free at 800.544.3568.