Hi I became disabled with colon cancer in December of 2018. I filed for disability last year and was denied because my coverage or work credits ran out March 31st 2018. I amended my 2019 tax returns. I recently reapplied and was told the same thing. I don’t think the ire’s has reported the amended return. I did the amended return in March of this year. Do you think that’s the problem? Thanks

Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your illness. It takes a significant amount of time for the IRS to review and accept an amended return, and additional time to tell Social Security about the earnings reported on the amended return. Therefore, the earnings reported on your amended return probably haven't yet been posted to your Social Security record.

However, if your insured status for Social Security disability (SSDI) ran out on March 31, 2018, your earnings in 2019 may or may not extend your SSDI insured status to a later date. To be insured for SSDI benefits, a person must have at least 20 quarters (QC) of Social Security coverage within the 40 calendar quarter period ending with the onset of their disability.

In any event, Social Security can give you credit for earnings reported on validly filed tax returns even if the earnings haven't yet been posted to the person's Social Security earnings record. To get Social Security to give you credit for your 2019 earnings you may need to show them Schedules C & SE from your amended return, plus proof that you paid the taxes owed on those earnings (e.g. cancelled check).

If your 2019 earnings do in fact make you insured for SSDI as of the date you became disabled, then you'll likely either want to reapply for SSDI or appeal your disallowance. However, Social Security could themselves question the accuracy of your amended return. People aren't allowed to voluntarily pay Social Security taxes in order to attain insured status or increase their benefit rate. So, Social Security will likely ask you to explain why your original tax return showed a different amount of earnings that you reported on the amended return.

Best, Jerry