Is there anything I should know about mystery shopping and collecting Social Security Disability Insurance? How do I count the hours and what do I report as income?

That is probably something best discussed with the folks at Social Security. I do know that there are shoppers on SSDI though it something I would go 'to the horses' mouth' at SS for the information rather than possibly jeopardize it.

I would ask them too. That would be best.

Rest assured, I am in contact with a representative of the SSA. What they are unable to tell me is the real life application of what hours to count and what do I count as income.

Every cent you earn you must report to the IRS. Depending on amount, you may owe or you may get a refund.

@sillysister74 wrote:

Rest assured, I am in contact with a representative of the SSA. What they are unable to tell me is the real life application of what hours to count and what do I count as income.

You might have to describe each job in detail because things like commute time, preparation time, and other tasks may or may not meet the applicable definition of work. This information helps you and them to determine when you are working and not working.

This information helps you to add up your
hours of work.

I report only my "onsite hours". No one knows how many hours I have to work scheduling and reporting. Basically, they just want to know my income. I can't make over a certain amount per month.

Both my sister and one of my housemates did MS while on SSDI. Both were advised by legal specialists from support groups for the disabled to report fees and time on site, the reasoning being that employees also have to drive to work and are not compensated for that time. My sister earned enough to be paying SE taxes and was never asked about hours.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/02/2015 07:33PM by walesmaven.

@sillysister74 wrote:

Is there anything I should know about mystery shopping and collecting Social Security Disability Insurance? How do I count the hours and what do I report as income?

Sister - I am on SSDI and contacted SS to get the scoop before doing my tasxes last year. I will share what they told me, however, as each case may be different, I still suggest you contact your local agency.

For 2015, anything that is a reimbursement, is not considered income. Everything else is income. You should keep track of your miles because this is a deductible business expense. You must watch how much non-reimbursable income you make per month.

If you are working (shopping) you are considered to be "trialing" going back to work. SSDI allows you to make any amount. However, there is a threshold amount of $70 in 2015. When you make over the threshold for nine months over a five year period, you now advance to the next level, "Extended Period of Eligibility". During this three year period, you can still receive SSDI benefits for any month in which your non-reimbursable income does not go over $1090. There are also guidelines related to reinstatement if your income exceeds these amounts during the timeframes. For more information, look at the goverment pamphlet

[www.socialsecurity.gov]

I hope this helps some.

Also, the hour guidelines by SSI are 80 hours a month.

Thank you everyone for this helpful information.

I have been avoiding posting because of being attacked and seeing others attacked..(not just simply telling people they need to pay attention to the shop guideline)..but actual personal attacks.

BUT THERE IS WRONG INFO HERE.

A trial work period for most people on SSDI kicks in if you make $780/month (not $70). A small number of people do not get a trial work period.

With SSI, any work income above $85 affects the amount of the benefit for that month (other income such as bank interest or certain gift income is also included in the total).

The 80 hours of self employment referred to SSDI. It may also be a factor for SSI when they review your case to determine if you are able to be gainfully employed. But that can't be an absolute determining factor, because someone can work 80 hours/month and still only make $100. A specific case I know of is someone with intellectual disability who makes and sells crafts.

(most) Regular employees don't drive during the course of their workday..but driving for the purpose of work (not just commuting to the 1st stop or home) IS WORK TIME. I used to work a job where I had to go to about 5 clients per day...the time driving to clients was WORK time....that time from shop to shop does count as work time...and you can't deduct miles from your work expenses if you aren't reporting that you are working at that time

I will no longer be reading replies to this topic as there is a high chance of personal attacks.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2015 05:37PM by jmitw.

@jmitw wrote:

I have been avoiding posting because of being attacked and seeing others attacked..(not just simply telling people they need to pay attention to the shop guideline)..but actual personal attacks.

BUT THERE IS WRONG INFO HERE.

A trial work period for most people on SSDI kicks in if you make $780/month (not $70). A small number of people do not get a trial work period.

With SSI, any work income above $85 affects the amount of the benefit for that month (other income such as bank interest or certain gift income is also included in the total).

The 80 hours of self employment referred to SSDI. It may also be a factor for SSI when they review your case to determine if you are able to be gainfully employed. But that can't be an absolute determining factor, because someone can work 80 hours/month and still only make $100. A specific case I know of is someone with intellectual disability who makes and sells crafts.

(most) Regular employees don't drive during the course of their workday..but driving for the purpose of work (not just commuting to the 1st stop or home) IS WORK TIME. I used to work a job where I had to go to about 5 clients per day...the time driving to clients was WORK time....that time from shop to shop does count as work time...and you can't deduct miles from your work expenses if you aren't reporting that you are working at that time

will no longer be reading replies to this topic as there is a high chance of personal attacks.

The $70 threshold was a typo, it is indeed $780 for 2015.
The $85 amount mentioned must refer to SSI which is different from SSDI.
Drive time is treated the same in all cases, SSDI, SSI, and regular workers. Is is not specific to SSDI.

JM, part of the reason attacks go on are because people are not adapt at phrasing their feelings for an online system. For example, in your text, you typed the words with regard to wrong infor in all caps. If we were standing person to person, I would take that as you getting in my face and shouting at me. That would naturally put me on the defense. The fact that you state you won't be reading replies to this topic, closing the conversation appears to be a "hit and run" reply, not giving me the chance to correct my statement. Those are just some of the reasons why attacks go on.

As was stressed in the beginning of my post, and I stress again, there are varying timeframes and thresholds. Recommendation was made to check the goverment website, and the information that was provided.
.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2015 08:53PM by CureMS.

@jmitw wrote:

I have been avoiding posting because of being attacked and seeing others attacked..(not just simply telling people they need to pay attention to the shop guideline)..but actual personal attacks.
....
I will no longer be reading replies to this topic as there is a high chance of personal attacks.

I don't know if I would call the advice in this thread attacking, but thank you for your helpful information.

I know for a fact that they have a program called Ticket to Work. You can earn over $130.? per month for so many months. If you do not make that much the month does count.
I'd contact them or go to SSA.gov/ticket to work. Hope this helps you.

Yes the Ticket To Work program is offered by SSDI. You can register with them and they will usually contact you (I have received many calls) offering you the opportunity (not a guarantee) to work. They have contracts with companies who have agreed to hire individuals with disabilities. You are under no obligation to accept the offers.

CureMS, are you saying for SSI and SSID they don't consider drive time between assignments? When calculating my hours, just for myself, not the government, it always includes my drive time between sites. It is a habit picked up from previous jobs where my commute time and mileage were not counted from home to the office/work site and back, but were considered time on the clock/reimbursable mileage when traveling between sites during the day. Any overnight travel started and ended at my doorstep.

@LisaSTL wrote:

CureMS, are you saying for SSI and SSID they don't consider drive time between assignments? When calculating my hours, just for myself, not the government, it always includes my drive time between sites. It is a habit picked up from previous jobs where my commute time and mileage were not counted from home to the office/work site and back, but were considered time on the clock/reimbursable mileage when traveling between sites during the day. Any overnight travel started and ended at my doorstep.

Exactly the opposite Lisa, Drive time for SSDI is figured as if you were any contractor. It is deducted as a business expense. Does that answer your question?

(My mind sometimes says one thing and my hands type what they want )

Clear as a bell

@sillysister74 wrote:

Rest assured, I am in contact with a representative of the SSA. What they are unable to tell me is the real life application of what hours to count and what do I count as income.

Sister, I contacted my SSDI office again. They told me to figure up my hourly rate just as any independent contractor would and that I should include my drive time BETWEEN shops. This is a work expense. Listed below is a clip from the working while on SSDI pamphlet:

"Your work expenses may include the costs of any items or services you need to work, even if they are also useful in your daily living. Examples include co-payments for prescriptions, counseling services, transportation to and from work (under certain conditions), a personal attendant or job coach, a wheelchair, or any specialized work equipment."
[www.ssa.gov]

I understand that my expenses with my service dog count too as she is considered durable medical equipment.

The above quote refers to EXPENSES of transportation, not to the time spent in getting to and from work sites, as far as I can make out.

As walesmaven states, the quote refers to EXPENSES of transportation, eg mileage. When I talked to the SSDI person, they made it clear the TIME BETWEEN jobs could be figured as work hours, using your hourly rate. Because of all the confusing areas, this is why I STRONGLY RECOMMEND contacting your local SSDI agent. Make them walk you through an example, getting them to write it down as you go would be best. That way you will at least have it in writing. I'd use the information here as a point to get the conversation kicked off. Even the pamphlet does not fully answer all questions.
Just FYI - when I filed my taxes I used Turbotax, which has me recorded as disabled. In turbotax I used the business model (not the basic home addition). I entered my mileage (usually counts in your favor), and my total income and my expenses. I did not keep track of time. Turbotax asked me all the questions and figured up my taxes.

CureMS, I also use Turbo Tax and I love it. However, I can tell you one thing about calling the SSDI office. I would call them more than once and get multiple answers to see if they agree. I used to work as an Income Tax Practitioner, in the 90's. Anyway, then when we got into a sticky wicket on how to answer something on taxes we called the IRS 800 number three times and took their majority answer. They never had one answer! So, I am thinking the SSDI Adm. is the same way, sadly. I cannot wait to hear what SillySister74 finds out.

Thanks incognito. You are absolutely correct! My take is to keep track of everything and put it into turbotax. Have never had a problem using it.

Courious to hear from sister too.

I called the main number on Monday and someone from my local number is supposed to call. This will most likely happen next Monday if ever.

If they do not call you back soon, call the 800 number. They are open until 7 or 8 pm Eastern time. I know that they do not keep you on hold real long and you can get information faster than the local office, imho.

Hi sillysister74,

Please consider what I say. Most people gave great advice to help you determine things for yourself in the future. The first thing you need to do is get a Social Security Disability Advocate from somewhere like Goodwill Industries. You could also probably call your local Social Security Office and ask them for referrals. People pointed out Ticket to Work, record keeping, financial reporting and complex matters. The Social Security Advocate has a nonprofit affiliation. They can help you with defining what is work, what to report, how to report it, the ramifications for reporting it, and some many issues. They help you and I believe it is free of charge.

The other consideration is to keep a track of all your expenses. You may or may not have to report your income. An accountant would be best to advise you. You may receive free or no cost help in your area. An example is where I live if a couple makes $40,000 year or less they can get their taxes done free of charge by the IRS from a local county sponsored agency. You cannot have extensively complex taxes. Your small business of a Schedule C would qualify for help. Also in my county you do not receive an accountant. You receive a volunteer.

This is a bit time consuming but it is well worth it. The advice everyone gave you will make more sense to you. Also the rules do change yearly, if not more. The Social Security Advocate sorts this out. You can call them in the future if you still collect SSDI.

Good luck.

250% disabled working persons is a program that once signed up it allows disabled persons to earn 250% above the poverty limits. It will also wipe out 98% of any share of cost you might have. (Mine was 958.00 per month and now its 22.00.)
With out this program you can follow the limits of no more than 20 hours and $1000 per month rules.

Sandrapdunne, very good advice. However, imho, some are saying ssi and ssdi/ssid. There is a huge difference between ssdi and ssi. If you worked enough quarters in a time frame you qualify for SSDI. If not, and, depending on Income, medical issues, etc you may qualify for SSI. Oranges and Apples, lol. Both good!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2015 01:20PM by incognito.