Social Security disability benefits and Social Security retirement benefits are two major social security benefits that retirees receive, but if you get a disability or a job loss that affects the amount of disability benefits, you can expect to have your Social Security number sent back to your employer.
While this is an unfortunate circumstance for some people, it can be prevented if you follow these simple tips.
1.
Avoid going on disability or job loss rolls to begin with Social Security benefits should not be used to qualify for disability or unemployment benefits, according to the Social Security Administration.
“You should never use Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to pay for work you do not need or are not eligible for,” the Social Services Administration says.
“For example, if you lose your job or disability because you work part-time, you should not use SSDI to pay the cost of caring for a dependent.
Social Security will credit your Social Service tax credit if you have lost your job and are on disability, but only if you meet certain conditions.”
The government also recommends that you avoid using disability or employment insurance to pay disability benefits.
“The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are generally only available to workers with disabilities who have been on disability for at least six months, and for up to six months without any other work,” the government says.
If you have been diagnosed with a disability and want to use your Social Services tax credit, “then you must complete a Social Security claim and pay a fee to the government for it.”
Social Security does not have to pay a penny to the federal government to collect your disability benefit.
“However, if your claim has been rejected, you may be able to collect a portion of your disability claim if you can prove you are still eligible for benefits,” the agency says.
2.
Use Social Security tax credits and other benefits to help pay for childcare and other basic needs.
The government has a website that allows people to use their Social Security taxes to help cover expenses, including childcare and child care costs.
For more information on how to use Social Services benefits, see this page from the government’s Tax Foundation.
3.
Do not use your disability benefits to cover medical expenses.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, “Medicare disability payments are not available to you if you are receiving Social Security or a Supplemental Security income (SSIs) benefit and the disability payment would cover the costs of medical care that are necessary to support the physical or mental health of the recipient.”
The federal government does not require that employers pay medical expenses for disabled workers.
The Internal Revenue Code states that employers must cover all costs of treatment for a disabled worker, including medical expenses, as long as the amount paid by the employer does not exceed the amount required to cover all medical expenses paid by a regular employee.
4.
Report your income tax, estate, and charitable contributions.
Social security disability payments and SSIs are not tax-deductible and are not deductible by charities.
Social Services requires you to report your taxable income, including Social Security income, to the Department of Labor.
You must report your charitable contributions to the charity IRS.
“If you are disabled, you are required to report charitable contributions on Form 1040, Schedule A,” the IRS says.
Social services tax credits can be used toward charitable contributions as long you are on SSI, disability, or unemployment and receive a disability benefit from your employer and your contributions are in excess of $5,000.
The IRS says you should only report these payments to a non-profit organization, such as a charity, church, or university, that has a tax exempt status.
5.
Keep track of your tax liability.
The Social Security system is designed to track your tax liabilities.
If your Social SSP, disability or SSI payments have been rejected by the government, “you will not be able and should not expect to receive the refund you were entitled to,” the department says.
6.
If possible, report the loss of your job to your job recruiter.
Employers are required by law to keep records of any job losses they have suffered.
“These records should include any employment loss that resulted in the loss or reduction of employment,” the Department says.
7.
Keep your SSI and disability payments in a safe place.
Social Service employees may be required to give their Social SIP, disability and SSI checks to the employer to protect the identities of Social Security beneficiaries, the department said.
The law does not prohibit employers from using your Social Social Security information for any reason, but you should always keep this information secure.
8.
Don’t rely on a Social Service check.
Social SIS and disability benefits are not considered taxable income under the Internal Tax Code.
Employer benefits are taxable if you receive benefits as a result of a job or an event that occurs outside the scope of your employment, the IRS said.
Social benefits may be taxable