Franklin Social Security Disability Lawyers

Under the Social Security Act, a disability is defined as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. This impairment must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or be expected to result in death.

A medically determinable impairment is a mental or physical impairment verifiable by diagnostic testing or other medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. In addition, your disability must be considered severe, such that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity and prevent or limit you from engaging in basic work-related activities, such as moving, sitting, or thinking. Finally, your condition must have lasted for at least one year or be expected to last for at least one year.

Substantial gainful activity refers to the level of work activity and earning capacity of an individual. An applicant must be unable to engage in significant gainful activity due to their medical impairment. Generally, the Social Security Administration considers those earning more than a certain amount per month to be engaging in substantial gainful activity. This amount typically increases each year with the cost of living. For 2026, the income limit for non-blind individuals is $1,690 per month (net of disability-related work expenses). For statutorily blind individuals, the limit is $2,830 (net of disability-related work expenses).

Yes, but only for a certain period, according to guidelines set out by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you return to work while collecting SSDI benefits, you must notify the SSA. You may be eligible for a work incentive program, such as the Trial Work Program, which allows you to work for nine months within five years to test whether you can work while still receiving full benefits. Once you have worked for nine months within five years, engaging in substantial gainful activity in the Trial Work Program, your SSDI benefits will end. There may be other work incentive programs available to you, which you can discuss with an attorney.

Generally, yes. If the combined amount of your SSDI benefit payments, workers' compensation, and public disability benefits exceeds 80 percent of your average earnings before you became disabled, your SSDI benefits will be reduced. This only includes public disability benefits under federal, state, or local government laws, such as civil service disability benefits, temporary disability benefits, and retirement benefits based on disability. Disability payments from private sources, like a personal pension or insurance, will not affect your SSDI benefits.

Eligibility requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are similar to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The main difference is that you must submit documentation of your low income instead of your employment history for SSI. These benefits are meant for workers who have become disabled and have a meager income or for people who have not been able to work. Additionally, the federal government funds SSI, while deductions from employee paychecks fund SSDI.

To receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must first fill out an application. You can complete the application on SSA's website. To strengthen your claim and increase your chances of approval, we recommend speaking with a qualified Social Security disability lawyer at Grimes Teich Anderson.