Looking For Work While On State Disability or SSDI (2014, look for a job)

[CASDI]

Hello,

I am currently on California Short-Term Disability approved by my health provider through October 2014 for major depression. I am also unemployed but stopped filing for that when I became disabled. I am NOT filing a Workers Comp claim since my condition is recurring. I've been on SDI before for the same condition 3x before while employed but always able to return to the same job. Can I still search and interview (very carefully not to look for work that my doctor would approve of) for similar work (I'm a mid-level computer programmer) while claiming DI? If so, is there a specific legal restriction either preventing or allowing this? One would think either CA SDI and SSDI would want you to continue to search even while you're on DI so you can get off benefits and return to work ASAP as long as your treating doctor approves of it. However, I have not been able to obtain a clear answer even via legal professional consultations. And obviously not let State Disability know I'm looking until I receive a clear answer.

Thanks so much!

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

From what I understand, you can't collect your full state disability and also a full-time wage. BUT, you can work part time and continue getting partial disability payments. I have a friend who can only work part time now, I think 12 hours a week. It's enough to give her what she needs in her base period on an ongoing basis. So, she receives part time wages plus partial state disability payments.

However, if you've been on SSDI before, you should reapply (I'm on SSI and did the whole workers comp, state disability then finally on SSI dance). If you've been on SSDI in the last 5 years, I think?, you would get your SSDI approved right away.

Then, once you're on SSDI, then there are return to work incentives that allow you to collect both your full SSDI benefit plus your job wages for something like 9 months.

So, I think your first line of business tomorrow is to call social security and ask if you can reapply and get reinstated right away. Once you're approved and the deposits are rolling in, then you can look for a job and collect on both for a while.

You've probably seen this FAQ page on CA disability intermittent work, etc.:

FAQ - Part-time, Intermittent, or Reduced Work Schedule

Here's the SSDI info on getting reinstated and return to work incentives:

Social Security Online - Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)

Social Security Online - Work Incentives - General Information

[mlsroofing]

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