I have thought and thought whether to post this, but I have finally decided to for some input.
I enjoy sewing even small things when I can, which is very slow and never steady with how weak I feel.
I was wondering if when we are on disability/social security if we are allowed to make a few extra dollars with selling these items. With all the expenses we have to bring in a few extra dollars could help.
susanep :)
I did some research into this when I got SS Disability. I like to write, and I considered writing a self-help book. With the issues that I have, that's probably going to take me several years, but it would be something to look forward to completing. I assumed I would self publish it when I am done.
So I asked SS Disability rep about what happens if I make any money on the book?
The brochure she referred me to is here http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf. The key to her answer is that if you make more than $1040, which the SS calls "substantial" (Ha!) your benefits may be reduced or stopped. In my case, my benefits are more that $1040, so making that would make me lose my benefit.
I asked about the idea of "prorating" my work - in other words, it takes me 2 years to write a book, and if the month it gets published I make $2000, shouldn't that be prorated over all that labor? I didn't actually do ANY work the month it gets published. And I got a very grim "WE DON'T DO IT THAT WAY - it's about your income from you work on a monthly basis."
So read the brochure, and possibly speak to someone as SS. Be careful about what you do.
BTW - I am still considering writing a book, but will publish it for free, if I do.
Quote from: susanep on August 11, 2013, 03:58:57 AM
I have thought and thought whether to post this, but I have finally decided to for some input.
I enjoy sewing even small things when I can, which is very slow and never steady with how weak I feel.
I was wondering if when we are on disability/social security if we are allowed to make a few extra dollars with selling these items. With all the expenses we have to bring in a few extra dollars could help.
susanep :)
Kudos to you susanep :)
Not sure what type of income you are projecting.
There are a number of business deduction allowed under IRS rules http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Deducting-Business-Expenses
- This may be beyond the scope of what you are looking to do, however, as far as the $1040 SSA limit when doing the cost of material + deductions ( payment - costs = profit) the information is important to you.
Just keep all receipts, driving/mileage record, etc. If the venture is profitable you can get a business ID # for you husband. Sell your items to him
wholesale and then let the profit (staying under the limit) show under his SSA account? See if that helps.
You could do a person-to-person appt with SSA to get information.
Susan,
I've been doing freelance writing on and off since going on disability in 1996. I really recommend you read the brochure and call SS if you have any questions.
The amount you can earn each month without affecting your benefits depends on how much you're collecting. For me, the amount was about $980. I've earned that amount 13 months (I think they're called trial months or something like that) over the past 17 years, so if I were to earn that much again in a month, they would stop my Disability payments. However, my Medicare coverage would continue on for at least a year.
If I'm unable to continue earning that amount because of my disability, my payments would automatically restart, I wouldn't have to apply again or get approved again.
This is how I understand it from reading the brochure and talking to SS.
I'm actually going to school full time this fall to try and bring my computer skills up to date with the hopes of returning to work in the communications field when I finish next Spring. Because I'm on disability, my county's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is paying for my schooling. They, and other similar organizations, will work with you to help you return to work if you can. Social Security can give you information about that, too.
I don't really think I'll be able to return to a full time job, but I do feel I'll be able to contribute more to our family income because I'll be able to pick up better freelance writing jobs. But, if I survive school, then I'll give full-time working a try.
Please read and talk to SS and don't take any of this for absolute certainty. It's been a while since I've read the information, but this is how I remember it working.
Good luck! I found it helped me feel more fulfilled, even if I was only earning a small amount.
Tracy