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 2024, for example, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,460 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.
