State Resources

Utah Benefits Planning

Benefits Planners provide people who receive SSDI with information about how employment may affect their Social Security and other benefits so that they can make an informed choice about working. A Benefits Planner also helps explain the rules of the Benefit Offset Pilot and how individuals receiving SSDI can earn more money each month without losing all of their SSDI benefit. It is important to contact a Benefits Planner if:

You are working or thinking about going to work, and you have questions about how earning more money might change your SSDI benefit.
You have received an overpayment notice from Social Security.
You have any questions about the Benefit Offset Pilot and how it affects you.

Contact Information

For more information about Benefits Planning or to reach a Benefits Planner in Utah please contact: Allison Wright or call Toll Free 877-246-9675.

Resources and Forms

The following links provide information about the Benefit Offset Pilot rules and give you access to forms that can help you report changes in your income to your Benefits Planner, who will then report any changes to Social Security.

Pilot Rules Flow Chart: This flow chart gives an overview of the key Social Security rules for people assigned to the Pilot Rules group of the Benefit Offset Pilot.
To report earnings from jobs: Social Security Form 821 "Work Activity Report": This form is used to report new work earnings or changes in work earnings. Anytime you start a new job or you start to work more hours or earn more money you should complete form 821. A Benefits Planner can help you fill out this form if you would like. Completed form 821s should be sent by fax or mail to Geoff Huntsman at:
Fax: 801-877-9389 or Mail:
SSDI '1 for 2' Project
1595 West 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
To report earnings from self employment: Social Security Form 820 "Work Activity Report: Self-Employed": This form is used to report new work earnings or changes in work earnings if you are self-employed. A Benefits Planner can help you fill out this form if you would like. Completed form 820s should be sent by fax or mail to Geoff Huntsman at:
Fax: 801-877-9389 or Mail:
SSDI '1 for 2' Project
1595 West 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84104

Social Security Work Incentives for People Receiving SSDI

The following links provide information about common work incentives for people receiving SSDI. A Benefits Planner can explain each of these work incentives in more detail and help you understand how they might apply to your situation.

Trial Work Period: The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to test your ability to work for at least nine months. During your TWP, you will receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how high your earnings might be so long as your work activity has been reported and you have a disabling impairment.
Extended Period of Eligibility: At the end of your nine Trial Work Period months, the first month you make above the SGA amount for the year is called your Cessation month. During your Cessation month and the two following months (a grace period) you will continue to receive your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn. The first month after your nine Trial Work Period months are completed is the beginning of what is called your Extended Period of Eligibility or EPE.

Typically, the EPE is 36 months for all SSDI beneficiaries. If you were assigned to the treatment group of the Benefits Offset Pilot, your EPE lasts for 72 months (6 years). During your EPE, any year that your average earnings are below the SGA amount for the year you will receive your full SSDI benefit. Any month that you earn more than the SGA amount for the year, your SSDI benefit will be reduced by $1.00 for every $2.00 above the SGA amount you earn. This is called the Benefit Offset. An example for 2007, the SGA amount is $900.00 per month. If your average earnings are above $900.00 per month for the entire year, your monthly SSDI benefits will be offset by the $1.00 for every $2.00 earned. View an example of how the Benefit Offset works.
Impairment Related Work Expenses: Social Security will deduct the cost of certain impairment-related items and services that you need to work from your gross earnings when they decide if your "countable earnings" are above the SGA amount.
Subsidy: If you receive additional support at work because of your disability, you may be eligible for a subsidy. A subsidy is the value of the support you receive at work and it may reduce the amount of your wages that Social Security will count when they determine if you have earned SGA.