Is it possible to start a real estate company and still recieve your disabilty benefits?

[Alton Williams]

Hi,

I am a 26 yr old who has been diagnosed with a mental disability. Due to financial hardships my psychiatrist has advised me to apply for disability. All I want to know is if its possible to create any type of business entity that will allow me to keep my benefits just incase a health issue arises and I may be greatly dependent on receiving those needed benefits.

[Account Closed]

Yes, you can start a business or work and still get your benefits - within their rules.  I was collecting disability while working as a resident manager.  What they look at is "substantial gainful activity."  If you can't work a normal 40 hour work week, that's what basically matters.  

Depending on whether you receive SSDI or SSI, will determine how much money you can make, what your assets can be worth, and still keep your benefits.  Here is a pamphlet that describes the rules.  By the way, there are work incentives, where you can work and collect your full benefits at the same time, while you try to work.  And if you end up off of disability, but need to go back on it later, within a certain time frame, you can just start collecting again without having to reapply.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf

Because you are young, you can expect to be re-evaluated, though, if they think you may be well enough to perform substantial gainful activity.