Many people who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income worry about their financial futures.  This is not just in the sense of not having enough money, but also suddenly coming into too much money at once and having your disability benefits be affected.  This has happened to several individuals receiving disability – perhaps they came into an inheritance when a relative died, or they may have won a lawsuit and are entitled to compensation.  Does the awarding of money from forces external to work affect benefits?

So What Happens?

Like most questions having to do with disability, the answer is “it depends.”  First, it depends on whether you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits.  If you are receiving SSDI and you worked up until the time that you become disabled and were unable to continue working, the truth of the matter is that receiving money doesn’t necessarily affect your benefits, because the reason why you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits is because you are unable to work.  Receiving money from either a lawsuit or an inheritance does not mean that you can suddenly start working.

If, on the other hand, you are getting Supplemental Security Income, there is indeed a chance that it could affect your disability.  Be sure to talk with a lawyer if you are getting SSI benefits and are coming into money.  You might need some advice regarding what to do with the money in order to best protect your benefits.