Student Earned Income Exclusion

This provision allows a student under age 22 and regularly attending school to exclude earnings from income. The monthly amount and the yearly limit is adjusted annually based on any increases in the cost-of-living index. This exclusion is applied before any other exclusions.

What happens if I don't pass my age 18 continuing disability review?

The Social Security Administration is extending eligibility for students age 18-21 who recover medically or whose disability is determined to have ended as a result of an age 18 redetermination, while participating in an individualized education program developed under the Individual's with Disabilities Education Act with an appropriate provider of services.

Providers of services the Social Security Administration may approve include a public or private organization with expertise in the delivery or coordination of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services; or a public, private, or parochial school that provides or coordinates a program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services carried out under an individualized program or plan.

What does "regularly attending school" mean?

"Regularly attending school" means that the person takes one or more courses of study and attends classes

  • in a college or university for at least 8 hours a week
  • in grades 7-12, for at least 12 hours a week
  • in a training course to prepare for employment for at least 12 hours a week (15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice)
  • in a home school situation for at least 12 hours per week and in accordance with home school laws
  • for less time than indicated above for reasons beyond the student's control, such as illness.

A person who is homebound because of a disability may be a student when he or she studies a course given by a school (grades 7-12), college, university, or government agency and has a home visitor or tutor from school who directs the study or training.

Are there any other rules which may help?

Other SSI work incentives such as plans for achieving self-support, work expense exclusions, and continued Medicaid coverage may help an SSI recipient while working.