Social Security Disability Advice Group

I am in the process, with an attorney, of filing for disability. Last week I received a call from a former employer asking if I would want to come back to work just a couple days a week. I said yes, I would be happy too. The job is just doing file maintenence, answering phones, etc..

My question is this...Do I call my attorney and let her know that I am working? It is a cash paying job, not a payroll kind of thing. It is only temporary until I can help them catch up because they are so far behind on things. My employer does not know that I am filing for disability..

Any advice would be much appreciated

Worrking while Filing for disability contradicts that you cant work. As long as its a job on the books and your paying taxes, its not a good idea, off the record and getting cash is another story :o)

I have to agree with ERVARGASNY here. Off the books can be risky too. Personally if I was going to do this, I would not say anything to anyone. JMHO! Were you just laid off from this employer or did you have to leave due to your medical condition?

i have a lot of opinions about working and ssdi but i will keep them to myself right now. i will say that working, even for cash, might somehow compromise you. applying to disability means you cannot work. my advise would be to talk to your attorney. don't ever keep anything from them bc if you go to court then something might come up that you aren't prepared to answer..or someone might have found out about you working for cash and it becomes an issue. always inform your attorney...

If she tells her attorney, I see a possible ethical dilemma. Myers is also correct about staying under SGA and still filing a claim for SSDI but this draws more scrutiny IMHO from the SSA as to your ability to earn more than SGA.

If you want to work, I would definitely do as Myers suggested (keep it on the books) and keep it under SGA. The under the table stuff can get you in some really hot water.

Having said that, I will say this. I know someone on SSI who mows several people's lawns for cash. I have seen this with my own eyes but none of my business. I keep to myself, but when you see someone doing this, you have to question is this person really as disabled as they say they are. All I know is that I can't work now even if I wanted to. Most people that I know on SSDI are simply unable to sustain full-time work anymore due to some chronic medical condition or conditions.

Hell I would not even try to work even though it is under the ssa amount. The way ssa is running out of money the alj will see this as if you can work part time why not full time ( DENIED). Just my opinion. I would not F around because anyone who can do any kind of work and is trying to get ssdi is trying to have it both ways .

I did leave this position last November due to my anxiety, I could no longer get myself out of bed. It was horrible but now, once again, I am feeling really good. This job will last about 2 months and it is only 2 days a week. I cannot afford to NOT work right now...our family is really struggling to make ends meet. I was actually thinking of pulling my SSD application because I am feeling good again, only I fear that once again I will stumble and fall down again. I am so confused!!

I would forget about because anxiety is not a disabling disease there are meds for it. And no judge is going to find you disable just on anxiety. There are people who work under extreme preasure and anxiety everyday . So with that said if you can work even a couple of days the ssa will wonder why you can't work full time.

jayjay - i understand your situation. everyday i wish i could go back to work bc we are having money issues, plus supporting my widowed mom now. it depresses me more bc i want so badly to go and be productive again. ive never not worked. it kept my mind busy and kept food on the table. i love it. i know without a doubt though that i cannot work, and prolly won't eve be able to, not just mental but physical. my advise? id ask your attorney what they honestly think your chances are. if they say good, then keep with it. if they say you don't have a very good case, then work. but that's just my opinion. i know it's a hard choice...i hope it all works out for you though.