Hello, I was born and I am currently completely blind. If it is pertinent I also have two children 14 and 17 who are also completely blind and they receive Supplemental security because my current SSDI is not large enough for them to receive it off mine and I don't believe my husbands intermittent earnings records are large enough either. I started receiving my own SSDI at age of 24 in 1998, at which time I received basically minimum possible SSDI. Between In 1998 and 2000 I started a small part time job and because of this I received a small increase in the SSDI I was receiving. In 2001, I was no longer employed. between 2001 and 2005 I didn't really get any earnings. In 06,07 small part time job with small amount of income. 07 - 11 nothing. Then in 2012 I got another part time job and have made a pretty steady part time income in fact my SSDI was suspended for about a year because I was above SGA in 2012. 2013 to current I receive SSDI again and my current benefit is $685, This has not changed other than COLA since 2000. I was hoping at some point it might increase again because of my work, but this seems to not be the case anymore.

Can you tell me is it possible for me to reach a point in which my SSDI might increase again or have I reached some kind of cap? I have asked for info on this from SSA, but they can't seem to tell me anything. I have been told by other sources it is because I didn't make enough when I was younger. Someone else told me that It will never increase because I will never Pay into Social security as much as I have already received.

I am hoping maybe you might be able to shed a clearer light on this for me?

Hi,

The short answer is yes, it's possible that your benefit rate could increase as a result of additional earnings. However, there are so many variables involved it's impossible for me to be able to tell you whether or not you might currently be due a higher SSDI (Social Security disability) benefit rate.

SSDI benefit rates are calculated based on an average of a variable number of the disabled person's highest years of earnings. Since your SSDI entitlement began at a young age, your initial benefit rate may have been based on an average of as few as 2 years of your earnings. SSDI benefits can be recomputed to consider subsequent years of earnings, but that could mean averaging your earnings over a longer period of years. And, your benefit rate would only increase if the average yearly earnings are higher.

Social Security is supposed to automatically recalculate benefits when appropriate for people who have earnings after their initial benefit entitlement began, but that process isn't foolproof. You may want to consider submitting a signed written statement to Social Security requesting a recomputation of your benefit rate to consider additional earnings. You aren't required to use a form for that purpose, but it would probably be advisable to use a Social Security form SSA-795 (https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-795.pdf). If you're still working part-time, you should also submit a copy of your 2019 W-2 form along with your request.

Best, Jerry