How to Get Money While Waiting for Disability Approval

How to Get Money While Waiting for Disability Approval

Social Security disability benefits can be a life-sustaining resource, but the process of obtaining those benefits is time-consuming, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not known for its efficiency. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from supporting yourself, you may wonder what to do for income while waiting for disability benefits. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to earn limited income, receive temporary disability benefits, apply for public assistance, or rely on other financial resources while the SSA reviews your claim. 

An experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Jennifer R. Solomon can connect the rules of the Social Security system with your actual, day-to-day life and needs. We help Californians navigate every stage of the Social Security disability process. Jennifer Solomon founded the firm in 2010 after spending nearly a decade representing insurance companies, giving her valuable insight into how those companies evaluate disability claims. While you focus on your health, we focus on helping you pursue the disability benefits you may qualify for.

How Does the Social Security Disability Process Work?

Social Security disability benefits provide monthly financial support to people who can no longer work because of a qualifying medical condition. Social Security administers two primary disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You can receive SSDI based on your work history and payroll tax contributions, while SSI is a needs-based program that centers on your income and financial resources.

How Do You Qualify for Benefits?

To receive those benefits, you must:

• Have a physical or mental impairment,
• Be unable to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of that impairment, and
• Expect the impairment to last at least 12 months or result in death.

For SSDI, you also must have a sufficient work history of paying into the program. When you apply, the SSA reviews your work history, medical records, and other evidence to decide whether you meet each requirement. 

The disability process often takes several months, sometimes longer. Once the agency completes its review, it issues an initial decision either approving you for benefits or denying your application. If it denies your claim, as the SSA unfortunately frequently does, you can request reconsideration. If the SSA still refuses to approve your benefits request, you may need a hearing before an administrative law judge before you start receiving benefits. 

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity?

To receive Social Security disability benefits, your medical condition must prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). So, what is SGA?

In general, SGA is work involving significant physical or mental activities that produces earnings above specific limits. For most applicants in 2026, you engage in SGA if you earn $1,690 or more per month. 

A medical condition preventing substantial gainful activity usually limits the amount or type of work you can perform, such as:

• How many hours you can work, 
• How long you can stand or sit, 
• How much you can lift, 
• Whether you need additional breaks, 
• Whether you can maintain regular attendance, 
• How long you can concentrate, and
• Whether you can perform physically or mentally demanding tasks.

During the application process, many applicants who qualify for benefits look into how to make money while waiting for disability payments to begin. If you work while your application is pending, the pattern of that work must continue to demonstrate that your condition prevents you from engaging in SGA. 

What to Do for Income While Waiting for Disability

People apply for disability benefits because their disability prevents them from earning enough. Unfortunately, the process of applying for benefits can take significant time, during which you still need to support yourself, leaving many wondering how to survive while waiting for disability. Depending on your work history, medical condition, and financial circumstances, you may have several potential sources of assistance or side income while on disability that help you meet your immediate needs while protecting your disability claim. 

Work Part-Time

Some applicants can continue working in a limited capacity while waiting for a disability decision. If you decide to pursue part-time work, the duties, hours, and earnings should be consistent with the medical limitations you claim prevent you from working full-time. 

If you work while your application is pending, keep records of your work schedule, missed shifts, workplace accommodations, and the ways your medical condition limits your ability to perform your job. That documentation can help explain your circumstances if questions arise during the disability process. 

Apply for California State Disability Insurance

California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides temporary wage replacement benefits for many workers who cannot work because of a short-term disability. Applicants can qualify for SDI while waiting for the SSA to decide their federal disability claim. Eligibility depends on your work history, wages, and medical condition. 

Review Your Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage

Some employers provide long-term disability (LTD) insurance as an employee benefit, and some people purchase private disability insurance policies on their own. If you have coverage, the policy may provide monthly benefits while you cannot work. 

Many LTD policies coordinate with Social Security disability benefits, and your insurer may reduce future payments if you later receive SSDI. Yet, long-term disability insurance can provide financial support while your Social Security claim is pending.

Apply for Other Public Assistance Programs

Several public assistance programs may help you pay for essential living expenses while waiting for a disability decision. 

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for:

• CalFresh to help pay for groceries,
• Medi-Cal for healthcare coverage,
• California’s County General Assistance or General Relief programs, or
• Housing and utility assistance through CalWORKs.

Your attorney can help you identify more sources of funding that might apply in your particular circumstances.

Use Savings or Community Resources

If possible, savings can help bridge the gap while you wait for a disability decision. You also may be able to obtain temporary assistance from loved ones, religious organizations, or nonprofit organizations that provide emergency financial support.

How Can a Disability Attorney Help?

Receiving disability benefits often requires balancing two important goals: maintaining financial stability and protecting your eligibility for benefits. A disability attorney from the Law Offices of Jennifer R. Solomon can help you balance those goals while pursuing benefits. We help Californians navigate every stage of the Social Security disability process, from initial applications through appeals. 

If you have questions about your disability claim or would like guidance while waiting for a decision, contact the Law Offices of Jennifer R. Solomon.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page 

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal resources during the content development process:

• BenefitsCal, CalFresh Details.
• BenefitsCal, CalWORKs Details.
• BenefitsCal, Medi-Cal Details.
• California Department of Social Services, General Assistance or General Relief.
• SSA, Substantial Gainful Activity.