What Are Disability Return to Work Guidelines in Illinois?

If an injury, illness, or medical impairment keeps you from working, you may be eligible for financial benefits through a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim. SSDI benefits are designed to provide financial support to people who cannot work due to a disabling medical condition.

A return to work may be possible based on the improvement of your condition. There are guidelines in place regarding returning to the workplace. In this article, Harold W. Conick – Social Security disability lawyer at Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd., provides an overview of the Social Security Administration (SSA) return to work guidelines.

Social Security Disability Claims: Know the Return-to-Work Guidelines

The SSA has published a Red Book (A Guide to Work Incentives) that exists to help SSDI recipients understand their rights and responsibilities, including the return to work. At Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd., our SSDI lawyers want to make sure you and your family have the tools and resources that you need to protect your best interests. SSDI recipients should be aware of the following four key things about the disability return to work guidelines:

1. 1. You are Expected to Return to Work If Your Medical Condition Improves: To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must meet medical and technical requirements. If your medical condition improves, then you may no longer satisfy medical requirements. Put another way, you are expected to return to the workforce if you are no longer disabled.
   2. You Must Tell the SSA If You Voluntarily Return to Work: If you decide that you’re ready to return to the workplace, you have a duty to notify the SSA. Your SSDI benefits could be cut off immediately if the SSA determines that you improperly failed to report a change in work status.
   3. You Have the Right to a Trial Period When Returning to Work: In many cases, disability recipients are simply not sure if they can safely return to work. The SSA has a “trial period” provisions in place to help facilitate a return to the office. You are entitled to a maximum nine-month trial period. If you have any questions about the SSDI return to work trial period, an experienced Illinois Social Security lawyer can help.
   4. You Do Not Necessarily Have to Re-Qualify for Benefits After Returning to Work: If you return to work after receiving SSDI benefits, you will not necessarily have to re-qualify for benefits if you cannot continue working. This is, at least assuming that your disability is based on the same underlying medical condition.

Find Out How Our Disability Attorneys in the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area Can Help

At Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd., our Social Security disability attorney fights hard to help people and families secure the full financial compensation that they deserve. If you have questions about the SSA’s return to work guidelines, we can help. Call Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd., now or get in touch with us online for a free consultation. We provide SSDI and SSI representation throughout the greater metropolitan area and Northern Illinois – including in Cook County, DuPage County, Kendall County, Will County, and Lake County, as well as northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin.