Can You Go to College While on Disability?

Can you attend college while receiving disability benefits? If you’re on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the answer might surprise you! Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about continuing your education while keeping your disability benefits.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to the channel. If you’re a student with a disability, you might have questions about how enrolling in college could affect your SSDI or SSI benefits. Well, you’re in the right place! We’re here to give you all the answers you need, from enrollment requirements to vocational programs that can help you balance school and benefits. Let’s get started!

First off, it’s important to know that neither SSDI nor SSI prohibits you from attending college. But here’s the catch — enrolling full-time could raise some questions about your ability to work, which may impact your disability benefits.

Let’s dive deeper into SSDI and SSI. SSDI is for those who have a solid work history but can no longer work due to a disability, while SSI is a needs-based program for low-income individuals with disabilities. The key difference is that SSI is more flexible when it comes to attending school, whereas SSDI could be more challenging if you’re a full-time student.

To put it simply, SSDI is based on your work history, and SSI is based on your income and resources. For SSDI, being a full-time student could prompt the Social Security Administration, or SSA, to review your case, questioning if you’re fit to work. But with SSI, things work a bit differently.

If you’re on SSI, attending college full-time is generally fine. However, the SSA still has rules about how income from financial aid, scholarships, and jobs might affect your SSI benefits.

Now, let’s talk about how school enrollment affects your benefits. For SSDI recipients, going to school full-time could lead to the SSA reviewing your case. If they determine you’re capable of working, you could lose your benefits.

But part-time enrollment is a little less risky. If you’re attending school part-time, you’re less likely to raise red flags with the SSA. It’s all about showing you’re still unable to work full-time due to your disability.

Whether you’re on SSDI or SSI, it’s crucial that you notify the SSA when you enroll in school. Failing to report changes can result in penalties, loss of benefits, or complications down the road.

Make sure to report your enrollment, financial aid, income, and living situation. If the SSA conducts a medical review or redetermination, you want everything to be up to date.

Here’s some good news! There are programs that can help you transition to work after school while keeping your benefits, like the Ticket to Work program and vocational rehabilitation services.

These programs help you prepare for future employment without losing your SSDI or SSI benefits. Plus, you’ll get career development support and services to make the transition smoother.

Let’s talk money! Students with disabilities can access grants, scholarships, and loans to help with college expenses. But not all financial aid is created equal when it comes to SSI.

Federal financial aid like Pell Grants is excluded from SSI income calculations, which is great news. But if you receive scholarships or aid for other living expenses like food or housing, it could reduce your SSI benefit.

Many students work while in school to cover living costs, but if you’re on SSI, your earnings can affect your benefits. However, there’s a student exclusion program that’s more generous than the rules for non-students.

If you’re under 22 and a full-time student, the first $1,780 you earn each month doesn’t count towards reducing your SSI benefit, which is a huge relief for many students!

If you’re worried about losing your benefits while going to college, don’t stress! There are ways to keep your benefits intact, like enrolling part-time or pursuing certain financial aid programs.

It’s always a good idea to talk to a disability advocate or attorney who can help you understand the rules for your specific situation. They can guide you through the process and help you keep your benefits while you focus on your education.

Remember, attending college while receiving SSDI or SSI benefits is possible, but it’s important to follow the right steps to ensure your benefits aren’t jeopardized. If you need help navigating these rules, Disability Advice is here to assist you.

Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for more tips on managing disability benefits while you pursue your dreams. Good luck with your studies, and we’ll see you next time!