Case Study Sunday: Navigating SSDI After a Liver Transplant in NY

The Question:
"I recently had a liver transplant in New York and I’d like to go back to work as soon as I can, but I’m also thinking about applying for SSDI. I’m worried that my employer will find out and assume that I never want to return to work. I’m also on short-term disability (STD) through my employer but don’t understand the amount — it’s $170 a week."

Here’s How I Answered:

1. Employer Notification

Your SSDI application is confidential. Employers are not notified unless you choose to tell them. Applying for SSDI doesn’t signal that you don’t want to return to work, and it won’t affect your current employment status.

2. Understanding Short-Term Disability (STD)

New York offers a state STD program, which your employer participates in. This program provides temporary income for people unable to work due to serious medical conditions.

• In this case, the $170/week the client saw was that benefit. $170/week is the max amount an employee can get under the state program - employers can top it off with a private STD plan, but this employer did not have that.

• STD can bridge the 5-month SSDI waiting period, giving you income while you wait for Social Security to start.

3. SSDI Eligibility & Disability Status

Being medically “disabled” (e.g., post-transplant) doesn’t automatically guarantee payment. SSDI eligibility is based on work and wage history, not just diagnosis. However, a liver transplant is generally recognized as a qualifying condition for disability.

4. Trial Work Period (TWP)

The TWP allows recipients to test returning to work without losing SSDI benefits. For 2026:

• The monthly earnings threshold is $1,210.

• You can work and earn up to that amount for 9 months during a TWP, without affecting your SSDI eligibility. These months do not have to be consecutive, and earnings under $1,210 do not trigger a TWP month.

This means you could gradually return to work, gauge what you can handle post-transplant, and still maintain financial protection.

5. SSDI Isn’t All-or-Nothing

Even if you are approved for SSDI:

• You don’t have to accept it for a full year (the typical initial approval length for a liver transplant).

• You can start and stop benefits depending on your needs and ability to work.

Takeaway:
Navigating SSDI, STD, and work after a major medical event like a transplant can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Planning ahead — understanding waiting periods, TWP options, and how income interacts with benefits — helps you return to work safely and protect your financial stability.