How much money can you make and still qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?

In 2010, People on disability can earn up to $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year) for most disabilities, or $1,640 per month ($19,680 per year) if legally blind. Earning more than these limits would be considered engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), would trigger a continuing disability review, and likely result in termination of the person's disability status with Social Security.

If you decide to return to work, the SSA allows nine non-consecutive months where earned income is unlimited; however, any month a disabled person earns more than $720.00 is counted toward the nine-month trial work period.

Social Security disability benefits may be temporarily reduced if the person is also receiving Worker's Compensation or other public disability payments. The total amount of all sources of government disability income, including SSDI, cannot exceed 80% of the worker's average current earnings at the time of disability.

SSDI benefits are based on the amount of money a worker paid in FICA (insurance) taxes during his or her working years, and is not means-tested. The Social Security Administration only cares about earned income as a measure of work performance. There is no limit on passive income a disabled person can receive from other sources, such as pension, annuities, capital gains, dividends, gifts, etc. There is also no limit to the amount of income other family or household members may earn. None of this money affects your SSDI disability benefits.

Different rules apply for people who are on SSI(Supplemental Security Income, a form of welfare for the disabled) or a combination of SSDI and SSI, which is means-tested. Only the SSI portion of the person's income may change; the SSDI payments are affected exactly as detailed above.