i have a question, i receive disability from social security, and i work a part time job, now, i know there is a limit as to how much i can earn, before they take away my disability, so, my part time job is giving a bonus because of the corona thing, for every hour i work in april they will give $2.00 as a bonus and the pay out in mid may, does that count towards my earnings limit for april or may?? i called social security and the woman said, umm.....umm....i think it counts towards your limit when it is paid, i don't think it matters when it is for, her hesitence is why i am trying to find definite, please if anyone is able to help let me know

Hi,

Social Security counts your earnings when the money's earned, not when it's paid. If you receive a bonus, it counts as earnings for the period in which you did the work to earn the bonus.

However, sometimes it's difficult for Social Security to determine when earnings are earned vs. when they are paid. If they lack sufficient evidence to the contrary, their guidelines permit them to count your earnings as being earned in the month they're paid (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0410505005). You'll want to try to keep records such as your pay slips so that you'll be able to document your correct monthly earnings. Generally, earnings that average in excess of $1,260 per month in 2020 is considered by Social Security to be 'substantial gainful activity' (SGA), which could cause your Social Security disability benefits to be suspended or terminated (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf).

Best, Jerry