Can You Go to School While on Disability? What You Need to Know
There are no restrictions via the Social Security Administration regarding school attendance while receiving Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income. However, additional requirements may exist when applying for Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to establish that your qualifications still exist.
How Attending School May Affect Your Disability Benefits
If you are a full-time student pursuing higher education and college courses, then it might give the Social Security Department a misconstrued view that you are no longer disabled.
Being a part-time student means your benefits are less likely to be terminated.
Going to school full-time can come under the scrutiny of the Social Security Department and could cause you to lose benefits if they deem you to no longer be limited by disability.
Being on long-term disability can also affect your ability to pursue a higher education.
Reporting Requirements
The main changes you must report are your living situation, marital status, and resources. Additional changes to report are as follows:
Name
Phone number
Employment status
Citizen or legal status
Changes in your household (including, but not limited to, birth, death, additional household members, detracted household members)
Admission or discharge from an institution (hospital, prison, halfway house, nursing home)
Receipt of arrest warrant
Changes to your bank account or account balances
Changes to the value of things you own
Absence from the United States (one month or more)
School attendance (age 22 and under)
Report such changes promptly and accurately to avoid not receiving benefits due to you or being overpaid, which would require you to pay the SSA back.
Failure to report a change may result in penalties. Making a known false or misleading statement or knowingly failing to report changes could impose an immediate sanction against payments.
Impact on SSDI
Once you have received your benefits, the Social Security Administration will periodically reexamine your case to ensure that you still qualify.
Your Social Security disability benefits could be terminated if the SSA presumes that your medical condition has improved, which means you no longer are considered disabled.
Impact on SSI
School attendance itself should not impact your social security income. Individuals who are age twenty-two and under are encouraged to attend.
If your school attendance can earn a degree, diploma, or trade certificate, then new qualifications and eligibility requirements will be considered during your Continuing Disability Review.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Programs
Ticket to Work Program
The Ticket to Work Program is a transitional disability program that allows those to return to work and still receive SSI and SSDI benefits. The Ticket to Work Program is available for those who:
Want to work full time without risk of losing benefits
Need help submitting timely and accurate paperwork
Have not worked for a while
Are worried about losing Medicare or Medicaid benefits
Are concerned that SSA will not consider you disabled
You might be eligible for the Ticket to Work Program if:
Want to work and need support to return to it
Receive SSDI payments (or both SSI and SSDI)
Are not currently appealing a medical termination decision
Are not an adult who receives SSI benefits under the childhood disability standards
Have not been granted an expedited temporary benefit reinstatement
Are not currently receiving advance payments for a probable disability
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Services are administered through the Social Security Administration. This service assists in the application process for individuals with disabilities who are returning to work.
The service must result in the individual's return to work for at least nine consecutive months, which is referred to as substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my disability benefits if I go to school?
The SSA could discontinue your benefits if you are enrolled in school. They may consider you fit enough for work; therefore, you would no longer meet the standards of a disabled individual, which would discontinue your SSDI benefits. Talking to a disability lawyer for legal advice can clarify a specific situation.
Do I need to inform the Social Security Administration (SSA) if I enroll in school?
Yes, especially if you are age twenty-two and under. If you do not report this change to the SSA, it may result in a penalty to your monthly benefits. You can do so on their website.
Are there grants for disabled individuals who want to go to school?
There are many financial aid programs to help students pay for school. The Pell Grant, federal student aid (FAFSA) loans, student loans, and other scholarships exist for this purpose. The Pell Grant is not necessarily affected by SSI because both SSI and the Pell Grant are income-based.
Final Thoughts
While attending school on disability is allowed under Social Security guidelines, it's essential to understand how school attendance might affect your benefits.
Full-time enrollment as a college student may lead the Social Security Administration (SSA) to reassess your eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), mainly if they believe your ability to work has improved.
On the other hand, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is generally unaffected by attending school, especially for individuals under the age of 22.
It's crucial to follow reporting requirements, including notifying the SSA of any changes to monthly income, etc., to avoid penalties or benefit reductions.
Programs like the Ticket to Work and Vocational Rehabilitation Services can also help support your transition back to work if desired, ensuring that educational and work opportunities do not jeopardize your disability status.
Always consult a legal expert for advice on how your circumstances may impact your benefits. Our law firm and disability attorneys are available to help you with any questions and legal advice you might need.