Should I try to work while I am waiting for a decision?
We don’t discourage our clients from working or looking for work within their restrictions. Most are unsuccessful in securing full time employment. That does help to show the Social Security judge that they cannot work. But before Social Security looks at your medical condition, they ask if you are working and may decide that you are not disabled if the work you are doing is “substantial” and “gainful.” Of course, if you are able to work full time for an extended time Social Security may decide you are not disabled. Part time work does not necessarily guarantee that you can get past this first step. It will depend on how many hours you are working, how much you are earning, what you are doing, etc. It is difficult to predict exactly how Social Security will evaluate work activity while they are deciding whether you are disabled. But unsuccessful work efforts, especially those lasting 3 months are less or those lasting up to 6 months but where there is evidence that your medical conditions caused you to leave work or lose the job do tend to show that you are disabled, under their guidelines.
Need more help? Use the link below and send us your contact information for an initial free consultation or call us at 1-800-481-0302.
Can I work while I am waiting?
