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An “unsuccessful work attempt” is a term used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to describe a situation in which an individual attempts to work but is unable to continue due to a disability. This term is often relevant in the context of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, where individuals with disabilities are allowed to test their ability to work without immediately losing their benefits. Here’s an overview of what constitutes an “unsuccessful work attempt”: Definition: An unsuccessful work attempt refers to a situation in which an individual tries to work but is unable to continue because of their disability. The work attempt may not last long (usually less than 6 months) and does not lead to substantial gainful activity (SGA). Eligibility: People receiving SSDI or SSI benefits are allowed to make these unsuccessful work attempts without the risk of losing their benefits. During this time, they can test their ability to work without the pressure of having to immediately give up their benefits if they can’t continue. Duration: A work attempt is generally considered unsuccessful if the individual works for less than 6 months (usually no more than 6 months within a 12-month period) or if they are unable to continue due to their disability. The key is that the person tries to work but can’t sustain the job because of their condition. Work Requirements: For a work attempt to be considered unsuccessful, the individual must have earned less than the SSA’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold. In 2026, for example, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 for blind individuals. If an individual earns above these limits, their attempt may no longer qualify as “unsuccessful” and could be evaluated differently. Impact on Benefits: The SSA allows individuals to attempt to return to work without losing their disability benefits immediately. The unsuccessful work attempt is excluded from being counted against the individual’s trial work period. The trial work period allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work for up to 9 months while still receiving full benefits. Examples: If a person with a disability tries to work but is unable to continue because of pain, fatigue, or other symptoms related to their disability, and they do not earn more than the SGA limit, that would be considered an unsuccessful work attempt. If you are interested in learning more about applying for Social Security disability contact Greeman Toomey PLLC for a free consultation at 612-332-3252.

There are several types of Social Security benefits, each designed to provide financial assistance in specific circumstances. Below is a closer look at the type of benefits available and the requirement for those benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Retirement Benefits Eligibility: Typically, available to individuals who have worked and paid into Social Security for a required number of years (usually 10 years or 40 credits). Age: You can start receiving benefits at age 62, but the full retirement age (FRA) varies based on the year of birth (between 66 and 67). Claiming earlier results in reduced monthly benefits, while delaying benefits past your FRA can increase the monthly amount. Disability Benefits (SSDI) Eligibility: For individuals who become disabled and are unable to work. You must have worked a certain number of years and paid Social Security taxes, depending on your age at the time of disability. Requirement: Applicants must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability and provide medical evidence of the condition. Survivors Benefits Eligibility: Available to the family members of a deceased worker who had earned enough Social Security credits. Eligible family members can include: Spouse (widow/widower) Children (under 18, or up to 19 if still in school) Dependent parents Purpose: To provide financial support for families who lose a primary earner. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Eligibility: This is a need-based program for individuals who are elderly, blind, or disabled and have very limited income and resources. Purpose: It provides financial assistance to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Unlike SSDI, SSI is not based on work history but rather on financial need. Spousal Benefits Eligibility: Available to a spouse of a person who is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, as long as the spouse is at least 62 years old. Amount: A spouse can receive up to 50% of the worker’s benefit amount if claimed at full retirement age. If taken earlier, the benefit amount is reduced. Child Benefits Eligibility: Minor children (under 18 or 19 if still in high school) of parents who are receiving Social Security benefits (retirement, disability, or deceased workers). Amount: A child can receive up to 50 percent of a parent’s benefit amount. The number of children receiving benefits can affect the total payout to the family. If you are interested in learning more about Social Security disability benefits and are interested in applying and would like some assistance contact Greeman Toomey Law Office at 612-332-3252.

Social Security routinely sends claimants out for Consultative Exams (CEs) with an independent doctor during the early stages of the Social Security disability process, but sometimes a claimant will be requested to attend one of these exams even after they have a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Although not the standard, it is also not uncommon for judges to send claimants out for an exam if the ALJ is unable to decide on disability claim because of a lack of medical evidence. No matter when a CE is ordered, it is imperative that the claimant attend the exam as scheduled. Failure to attend can result in the denial of a claim. After the exam the medical professional conducting the exam will issue a report to Social Security on the findings. The exam is not the only evidence used to issue a decision in a disability claim, but it is still important to attend. There are different types of exams a claimant may be required to attend. There are physical exams and mental health exams that are typically required based on the impairments the claimant is diagnosed with. A claimant will be notified several weeks prior to the scheduled exam. Below is information on Social Security’s protocols related to CE exams. If the evidence provided by the claimant’s own medical sources is inadequate to determine if he or she is disabled, additional medical information may be sought by recontacting the treating source for additional information or clarification, or by arranging for a CE. If you are interested in learning more about applying for Social Security disability and would like a free consultation, please contact Greeman Toomey Law Office at 612-332-3252 or visit www.greemantoomey.com.

Most people think of retirement benefits when Social Security is discussed, but there are other types of Social Security benefits for people who are unable to work due to disability, survivor’s benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Below we look at the different types of benefits that are available through the Social Security Administration. Retirement benefits: These benefits are paid to individuals who have reached full retirement age (currently 67 years old for those born in 1960 or later) and have worked for a certain number of years. The amount of retirement benefits is based on the individual’s earnings history and the age at which they begin receiving benefits. Disability benefits: These benefits are paid to individuals who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. The amount of disability benefits is based on the individual’s earnings history and the severity of their disability. Survivor benefits: These benefits are paid to the surviving spouse and/or children of a deceased worker who had paid into the Social Security system. The amount of survivor benefits is based on the deceased worker’s earnings history. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled. The amount of SSI benefits is based on the individual’s income and resources. If you are interested in learning more about the different types of Social Security benefits you may be eligible for if you are unable to maintain gainful employment due to physical or mental health impairments and would like a free consultation contact Greeman Toomey PLLC at 612-332-3252.

An “unsuccessful work attempt” is a term used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to describe a situation in which an individual attempts to work but is unable to continue due to a disability. This term is often relevant in the context of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, where individuals with disabilities are allowed to test their ability to work without immediately losing their benefits. Here’s an overview of what constitutes an “unsuccessful work attempt”: Definition: An unsuccessful work attempt refers to a situation in which an individual tries to work but is unable to continue because of their disability. The work attempt may not last long (usually less than 6 months) and does not lead to substantial gainful activity (SGA). Eligibility: People receiving SSDI or SSI benefits are allowed to make these unsuccessful work attempts without the risk of losing their benefits. During this time, they can test their ability to work without the pressure of having to immediately give up their benefits if they can’t continue. Duration: A work attempt is generally considered unsuccessful if the individual works for less than 6 months (usually no more than 6 months within a 12-month period) or if they are unable to continue due to their disability. The key is that the person tries to work but can’t sustain the job because of their condition. Work Requirements: For a work attempt to be considered unsuccessful, the individual must have earned less than the SSA’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold. In 2026, for example, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 for blind individuals. If an individual earns above these limits, their attempt may no longer qualify as “unsuccessful” and could be evaluated differently. Impact on Benefits: The SSA allows individuals to attempt to return to work without losing their disability benefits immediately. The unsuccessful work attempt is excluded from being counted against the individual’s trial work period. The trial work period allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work for up to 9 months while still receiving full benefits. Examples: If a person with a disability tries to work but is unable to continue because of pain, fatigue, or other symptoms related to their disability, and they do not earn more than the SGA limit, that would be considered an unsuccessful work attempt. If you are interested in learning more about applying for Social Security disability contact Greeman Toomey PLLC for a free consultation at 612-332-3252.

Last month we informed that the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) would increase Social Security benefits by 2.8 percent in 2026, but there are other significant changes happening in 2026, including higher Medicare costs and a tax break on Social Security benefits. When it comes to the COLA increase, the average retired worker will see a monthly benefit of $2,071, the average Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipient will receive about $1,630 per month, and the average Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient will receive a maximum benefit of $994 per month. Although benefits are increasing, so too will Medicare costs for beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recently announced that Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and other outpatient care, will increase by 9.7 percent. The monthly cost will go from $185 per month to $202.90. That equates to an annual increase of more than $214. The COLA increase, compared to Medicare cost increases may seem like a wash to Social Security beneficiaries, but some beneficiaries will also see some additional tax breaks on benefit payments. Beneficiaries age 65 and older will be eligible for a new tax deduction to reduce taxable income by up to $6,000 for beneficiaries. Greeman Toomey PLLC assists claimant will obtaining Social Security disability benefits. For a free consultation contact us at 612-332-3252.

Beginning with the turn of the New Year, Social Security recipients will see an average increase of about $56 per month in Social Security payments due to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2.8 percent increase in benefits will apply to Social Security retirement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients, as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. That is roughly a $672 annual increase for the average Social Security recipient. The agency’s COLA is based on consumer inflation data based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. A year ago, the more than 72 million Social Security and SSI beneficiaries received a COLA increase of 2.5 percent. The 2.8 percent increase is a slight uptick from the projection issued by the Senior Citizens League, which estimated a 2.7 percent increase a couple of months ago. Although the 2.8 percent increase is slightly higher than a year ago, it is less than half the increase from 2023 when COLA was 8.7 percent, which was the largest increase since 1981. For more information regarding the 2026 COLA increase and to see how you might be impacted visit www.ssa.org.

Since the government shutdown began well more than a month ago thousands of Social Security employees were furloughed and the ones who remained on the job worked without pay. Not only has this caused turmoil for Social Security employees, but it has also resulted in a significant slowdown in processing disability claims. On Nov. 12, 2025, an agreement was reached to end the government shutdown, but it will take time for processing improve at the agency, not just because of the shutdown, but also because of other contributing factors. Below are some of the current challenges Social Security is facing in its efforts to process disability claims. Understaffing and Budget Constraints: The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) administrative budget has decreased by 17 percent since 2010, while the number of beneficiaries has increased by 22 percent. This lack of adequate funding prevents the SSA from hiring sufficient staff to manage the growing workload, resulting in a workforce at near-historic lows. Growing Backlog of Claims: As of September 2024, there were approximately 1.18 million pending initial disability claims and over 331,000 reconsiderations pending. This massive backlog means applicants often wait months for decisions; the average wait time for an initial determination reached 231 days in 2024, which is twice the pre-pandemic average. Staffing Shortages at State Agencies: The state-level Disability Determination Services (DDS), which make medical eligibility decisions, are also experiencing severe staff shortages. These offices are funded with federal dollars, but hiring is managed by individual states, which sometimes struggle to offer competitive salaries or have hiring freezes, creating a major “bottleneck” in the process.

Most years around this time, Social Security would announce its annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to Social Security beneficiaries, but due to the partial government shutdown that announcement has been delayed and Social Security beneficiaries, including retirement, disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, will have to wait longer to see how much their benefits will increase in 2026. The agency’s COLA is based on consumer inflation data based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. Typically, the COLA announcement is made after the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases September’s CPI report, but the shutdown has caused delays in collection and publication of economic data due to the lack of government funding. A year ago, the more than 72 million Social Security and SSI beneficiaries received a COLA increase of 2.5 percent. It is unclear how long it will take Social Security to issue its COLA announcement because the government shutdown has extended into a second week. The Senior Citizens League has done its own estimates and has projected a 2.7 percent COLA increase in 2026 according to available data.

After urging from Democrats in Congress, the Social Security Administration is conducting an audit of the agency’s performance data, specifically the agency’s performance related to phone service for the public. For years Social Security has struggled to provide adequate phone service to customers that consisted of long waits for phone service, or customers being unable to reach a live person at Social Security. Earlier this summer, Social Security changed the data it reports, which removed metrics related to phone service at the agency. The audit is expected to give a better understanding of the current state of the agency’s phone service to customers. Phone service has been a problem the agency has had to deal with for decades and the agency now has less employees, at least 3,700 less employees according to the current Social Security commissioner, compared to the beginning of 2025. The audit is expected to give more substantial numbers on phone service at Social Security including callback wait times, call wait times and the number of customers who are on hold during peak hours. There is no date set on when the audit will be released, but it should give more accurate numbers on phone service. The agency current estimates an average wait of 23 minutes when a customer calls Social Security, but that data may be a bit misleading as to how long a customer really must wait to speak with a live individual at Social Security.