Throughout the year, we share advice and resources that may help you as you pursue financial independence through work. You can find information about how to present your best self to a potential employer on your resume or during a job interview; discover Social Security Work Incentives that may help you transition to the workplace; and explore resources that may help you identify your work goals or plan for your financial independence.
As 2018 comes to a close, we're taking a look at the topics you liked best by sharing our top 3 blog posts of this year.
Through a free my Social Security account, you can easily report your work and wages to Social Security. This online tool was introduced in 2017 and, at first, it was available for people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). But, as this blog post explains, the tool has been expanded to allow people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to also report their work and wages.
Reporting your wages is an important way to avoid being overpaid by Social Security. Visit our Wage Reporting page to learn more and sign up for your my Social Security account today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
We receive a lot of questions about what working and earning income may mean for your Social Security disability benefits. Talking with a Benefits Counselor can help you learn more, including finding out how Social Security Work Incentives may help.
In this blog post, we discuss one Work Incentive, the Trial Work Period (TWP), that allows people who receive SSDI to continue receiving benefits as they test their ability to work. As you start to work, you'll continue to receive your full benefits for the first 9 (non-consecutive) months in a 5-year timeframe.
Learn more about TWP, then check out 2 more Work Incentives, Extended Period of Eligibility (for people who receive SSDI) and Expedited Reinstatement (for people who receive SSDI, SSI or both).
The Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) Act allows certain individuals with disabilities and their families to save funds in a tax-advantaged savings and investment account. In addition to your own contributions, family and friends can also add funds to your ABLE account. Learn about some of the updates related to the ABLE Act in this blog post, then check out our webinar, Achieving Financial Independence with the Ticket to Work and an ABLE Account.
Avoid missing out on helpful information and resources that may help you on the path to work:
Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.
To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.
Opt in to receive information about the Ticket Program via text. Text the word "TICKET" to 474747
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Take a look back at 3 of our most popular blog posts of 2018 to rediscover information that may help you as you pursue financial independence through work. Revisit these blog posts to learn more about Social Security Work Incentives, wage reporting and ABLE.