Substantial Gainful Activity is paid work that requires the use of both physical and mental powers. For help or more information, you may wish to seek the advice of a disability attorney in Albuquerque.
Substantial Work: Work That Requires Effort
For work to be considered substantial, it must be at least reasonably demanding either physically or mentally. Your disability lawyer in Albuquerque would define work that is not substantial in the following manner:
- Your work is not substantial if you can’t perform light, simple tasks without more help or direction than other people might need.
- Your work is not substantial if it is so easy that almost no effort, either physical or mental, is required to do it or if your work is of no or very little value to your employer.
Gainful Work: Work for Pay
Your disability lawyer in Albuquerque can advise you that in order for your work to be considered gainful by the Social Security Administration, you must either be paid for it or you must be engaged in the work for profit whether or not you actually make any money. As an employee of another entity, it is your wages that determine whether or not your work is gainful.
When You Work for Yourself
It does not matter to the Social Security Administration whether your business is in the red or the black when SSA evaluates your work as gainful activity. The SSA looks very h3ly at how important your work is to the company when making this determination. This holds whether or not you control your earnings or hours worked as in the case of someone employed by a family member.
Legal v. Illegal Earnings
Your disability lawyer in Albuquerque will caution you that money earned through illicit or criminal activities is still considered gainful by the SSA. Your work will be assessed whether or not it is within the law.
What You Can Deduct
Such expenses as medicines that you take for your impairment, means of transportation, any devices that you may have to add to your car or structural adaptations to your home that relate to your disability, in-home nursing or other services can be deducted regardless of whether you work for yourself or someone else. Your disability lawyer in Albuquerque can advise you as to which deductions may safely be considered allowable and help you ensure that you have not neglected any deduction to which you may be entitled.
Making the Determination
SSA uses an average of your income, taking into account what type of work it is, how long you’ve done it and the SGA level that was in effect when you were working. Your disability lawyer in Albuquerque can direct you to the Social Security Administration’s official website at www.ssa.gov/cola/ where you can find your SGA level. This level has risen from $500 in July 1999 to $1,000 in 2010.
Find Help and Answers
If you have questions, need help or simply want more information, your disability lawyer in Albuquerque is there to assist you. Don’t hesitate to call or Skype Michelle Baca, Attorney at Law, at 505-872-1142 today.
