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Ortiz Law Firm | National Disability Law Firm

Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.

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Home | Working While Disabled

Working While Disabled

Unsuccessful Work Attempts (UWA) in Disability Claims

March 30, 2026 // by Nick Ortiz

Many applicants for Social Security Disability believe that earning a single paycheck will instantly destroy their chances of approval. Contrary to this popular fear, the administration actually offers a safety net known officially as an Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA). This rule acknowledges that trying to return to the workforce is often a test …

Read moreUnsuccessful Work Attempts (UWA) in Disability Claims
Category: Social Security Disability
Tags: Working While Disabled

Pursuing Disability Benefits Means Any Work Has a Significant Impact on Your Claim

November 10, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When you apply for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you’re asserting that you’re unable to work due to a medical condition. Many claimants don’t fully grasp what that means in practice—or how even minimal work activity can be used against them. Whether you’re running errands for a neighbor, …

Read morePursuing Disability Benefits Means Any Work Has a Significant Impact on Your Claim
Category: Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability
Tags: Working While Disabled

Hobbies vs. Work: When Activities Start to Look Like Employment

November 5, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

If you’re applying for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you know that working can put your claim at risk. But what about hobbies? Activities like painting, photography, gardening, woodworking, or volunteering may seem harmless—but depending on how they’re perceived, your insurer or the Social …

Read moreHobbies vs. Work: When Activities Start to Look Like Employment
Category: Social Security Disability, Non-Medical Eligibility for Long-Term Disability
Tags: Working While Disabled

How Work Contradicts Your Disability Claim

October 31, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When you apply for disability benefits, you’re making a statement- that you are no longer able to work due to a disabling condition. But if you’re still working, even part-time or in a reduced role, it can directly contradict that claim. Many applicants believe that limited work won’t hurt their case. Especially if it’s just …

Read moreHow Work Contradicts Your Disability Claim
Category: Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability
Tags: Working While Disabled

Gig Work and Part-Time Work Is Still Work

October 20, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

If you’ve applied for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may think that driving for Uber, picking up freelance projects, or selling crafts on Etsy is harmless. After all, it’s flexible, sporadic, and usually not a full-time income. But here’s the problem: gig work and part-time jobs still count as …

Read moreGig Work and Part-Time Work Is Still Work
Category: Social Security Disability, Non-Medical Eligibility for Long-Term Disability
Tags: Working While Disabled

Disability Benefits Are Not a Supplement to Part-Time Work

October 8, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When financial pressures mount due to a medical condition, it’s natural to look for ways to stay afloat. Many people receiving or applying for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits wonder: “Can I work part-time to make up the difference?” Unfortunately, that approach can backfire. Disability benefits are …

Read moreDisability Benefits Are Not a Supplement to Part-Time Work
Category: Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability
Tags: Working While Disabled

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