What Will Happen to My Disability Benefits in 2025?
The initial benefits process may change very little in 2025. The initial denial rate is already 67 percent. That number could not get much worse. However, the Social Security Administration’s disability review process may undergo significant changes. If a Disability Determination Services officer rules that the recipient can work or receives financial support from another source, the SSA normally cuts off benefits.
A Tampa Social Security Disability lawyer uses little-known loopholes, like the two discussed below, to extend disability benefits in 2025 and beyond. These loopholes, and a lawyer’s advocacy, help ensure that families continue receiving life-changing disability benefits, which usually include a monthly supplemental income and Medicaid eligibility.
Trial Work Period
The TWP touches the heart of SSD benefits, which is an inability to work because of a medical condition. If a recipient tries to work and cannot, that’s almost proof positive that the disability lingers, even if the person’s medical condition has improved substantially.
In 2025, recipients who are in the TWP may earn up to $2,780 per month (the $1,620 income threshold plus a $1,160 TWP allowance), for nine consecutive or nonconsecutive months in a calendar year, and keep their disability benefits.
Usually, the best case scenario is to work for nine months to maximize the allowance, and then stop working because it’s medically impossible to keep going. Your case is stronger if you took a week or two off here or there, worked for a month or so, took another week or two off, and so forth.
Be advised that your word probably won’t convince a DDS officer that you’re genuinely unable to work. A Tampa Social Security Disability lawyer must submit medical evidence that supports your claim. Statements from friends and coworkers, who see physical or other deterioration over time, is admissible as well.
Non-ISM Payments
As mentioned, very few disabled individuals live independently. They either live with someone, usually a friend or relative, or someone else, once again usually a friend or relative, helps the disabled individual pay bills.
Rent, food, utilities, and a few other core expenses are ISM (in-kind support and maintenance) payments, which as far as the SSA is concerned, are exactly like cash. Non-ISM support doesn’t count toward the SGA (substantial gainful activity) threshold. Non-ISM payments include:
- Clothes,
- Internet/Cable bill,
- Medical expenses,
- Entertainment, and
- Vehicles (including the note, gasoline, and maintenance).
Assume Lisa pays her disabled mom’s rent, which is $1,000 per month. That $1,000 in-kind payment counts toward the SGA threshold, meaning that mom will probably lose her benefits in 2025.
But assume Lisa pays non-ISM bills, like her mom’s car note, cell phone bill, and other non-ISM expenses, which total $1,000. That money, even though it comes from the same source and is used for the same basic purpose, doesn’t count.
Some other non-ISM loopholes, like a qualified rental agreement, may be available in some cases as well.
Rely On a Dedicated Hillsborough County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a confidential consultation with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.
Source:
ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2020/sect04.html
