Being on Social Security Disability can be frustrating for anyone that was used to drawing a good paycheck from their job before the incident that caused the disability. With the sudden decrease in earnings, as most Disability checks are not near what your income was before you became disabled, it can be devastating both to the individual and the family of the disabled person. How am I going to pay the bills? What are we going to do when we need more money? How do we tell the children that we can no longer afford to buy the things they had gotten so used to receiving?

These are some of the questions that I had when I became disabled from a car accident in 2007. I had been a warehouse supervisor for almost 8 years, and the accident caused chronic pain that made it impossible to go back to work doing what I enjoyed so much. I was very fortunate in that I was approved for Disability the first time I applied for it, most people are usually turned down the first time, and usually end up having to hire a lawyer to get approved for Social Security.

Due to the accident I had, the medical bills began piling up and even though I would soon receive a Social Security check, the decrease in pay from the wages I earned as a supervisor compared to the disability check was several hundred dollars. I knew that we were going to have a difficult time paying the bills not only because of the decrease in pay, but a continual flow of medical bills was also now coming in.

I had always understood that if you were on disability that you were not able to have any source of income, and I assume that since you are reading this article that the same may be true for you. If that is the case, then I have good news. I have researched the information I'm providing you with the Social Security Disability websites and FAQ's on being on disability and having a home based business, so you can feel confident that the information is accurate, at least from the date of this article. Of course as you know the rules and laws of this country change every day, so the accuracy is current as of today.

Whenever you decide you are going to start a business from home and you are receiving Social Security Disability, they would like you to contact them to let them know you are going to start. Not to worry though, they have what is called a "trial period" in which you can start working at home (or anywhere for that matter) and still keep your Disability pay. This is a period of time that allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this time you continue to receive your benefits regardless of how much you earn as long as you report your work activity and you continue to have a disabling impairment. This year, a trial work month is counted for any month that you make over $720, but if you are self-employed a trial work month counts if you make over $720 less expenses or you spend more than 80 hours in your own business. This trial period continues until you have worked 9 months within a 60 month period.

After your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings are not what they call "substantial". This year, 2011, they consider earnings over $1000 substantial. There is no new application or disability decision needed during this time to receive your disability benefits.

Even after your benefits stop because your income was substantial, you have five years during which you can ask for your benefits to be reinstated if you find that you are unable to continue working due to your disabling condition.

So if the economy has got you down, feeling like you are going broke, can't buy your children the things you used to be able to, why not go ahead and give the Home Based Business a try? There is absolutely nothing to lose by trying, and if things work out in your favor, and you find the right business that really works, maybe you won't need the disability check if you make much more money.

I am unable to work away from the house, but I can sit down at the computer, and when pain sets in, I can just leave the computer for a bit and come back later. Maybe the same situation will work for you as well, and the Social Security Disability rules give you plenty of time to continue receiving your benefits while deciding if a Home Based Business will be something that works for you.

If you don't know where to begin, I have a website that I have dedicated to helping people get started in the Home Based Business without spending money to get started. There are of course several opportunities available that you can upgrade to if you decide one of the businesses is something you choose to invest in, and grow your business. One business is an opportunity that will not cost you anything to get started and gives you free tools, features and services to get started. Another is a site that offers part ownership in their company just by reading a few emails each day. And there is one other that offers over 20 training videos in getting started in the Internet Business.

There are all sorts of disabilities, and mine as well as others out there don't prevent someone from setting their own hours and working at a pace that works with their disability. And even though the pay you receive from Social Security may help, many people are unable to make ends meet with what they get, and not having any money doesn't always have to prevent a person from ever being able to have a successful business right from their own house.

If you decide a Home Based Business is something you would like to try and you don't have money to get started, research the options that are on the internet. Many offers you will find will not be free, but there are several offers that don't cost anything to get started. Having a disability can be a life changing experience, mine sure was. But I believe that Social Security gives you plenty of opportunity to give a business from home or any other job opportunity a try for that matter. If it works out, then it will be a wonderful thing! You have almost a year to try it out, if it doesn't work out for you, you will still be able to keep your benefits. And any extra income that you have made while trying is a great bonus just for trying!