BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO PERFORM SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY DESPITE SEVERE MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT[66]
Sec. 1619. [42 U.S.C. 1382h] (a)(1) Except as provided in section 1631(j), any individual who was determined to be an eligible individual (or eligible spouse) by reason of being under a disability and was eligible to receive benefits under section 1611 (or a federally administered State supplementary payment) for a month and whose earnings in a subsequent month exceed the amount designated by the Commissioner of Social Security ordinarily to represent substantial gainful activity shall qualify for a monthly benefit under this subsection for such subsequent month (which shall be in lieu of any benefit under section 1611) equal to an amount determined under section 1611(b)(1) (or, in the case of an individual who has an eligible spouse, under section 1611(b)(2)), and for purposes of title XIX shall be considered to be receiving supplemental security income benefits under this title, for so long as—
(A) such individual continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which such individual was found to be under a disability; and
(B) the income of such individual, other than income excluded pursuant to section 1612(b), is not equal to or in excess of the amount which would cause him to be ineligible for payments under section 1611 and such individual meets all other non-disability-related requirements for eligibility for benefits under this title.
(2) The Commissioner of Social Security shall make a determination under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to an individual not later than 12 months after the first month for which the individual qualifies for a benefit under this subsection.
(b)(1) Except as provided in section 1631(j), for purposes of title XIX, any individual who was determined to be a blind or disabled individual eligible to receive a benefit under section 1611 or any federally administered State supplementary payment for a month and who in a subsequent month is ineligible for benefits under this title (and for any federally administered State supplementary payments) because of his or her income shall, nevertheless, be considered to be receiving supplemental security income benefits for such subsequent month provided that the Commissioner of Social Security determines under regulations that—
(A) such individual continues to be blind or continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which he was found to be under a disability and, except for his earnings, meets all non-disability-related requirements for eligibility for benefits under this title;
(B) the income of such individual would not, except for his earnings and increases pursuant to section 215(i) in the level of monthly insurance benefits to which the individual is entitled under title II that occur while such individual is considered to be receiving supplemental security income benefits by reason of this subsection, be equal to or in excess of the amount which would cause him to be ineligible for payments under section 1611(b) (if he were otherwise eligible for such payments);
(C) the termination of eligibility for benefits under title XIX would seriously inhibit his ability to continue his employment; and
(D) such individual’s earnings are not sufficient to allow him to provide for himself a reasonable equivalent of the benefits under this title (including any federally administered State supplementary payments), benefits under title XIX, and publicly funded attendant care services (including personal care assistance), which would be available to him in the absence of such earnings.
(2)(A) Determinations made under paragraph (1)(D) shall be based on information and data updated no less frequently than annually.
(B) In determining an individual’s earnings for purposes of paragraph (1)(D), there shall be excluded from such earnings an amount equal to the sum of any amounts which are or would be excluded under clauses (ii) and (iv) of section 1612(b)(4)(B) (or under clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 1612(b)(4)(A)) in determining his or her income.
(3) In the case of a State that exercises the option under section 1902(f), any individual who—
(A)(i) qualifies for a benefit under subsection (a), or
(ii) meets the requirements of paragraph (1); and
(B) was eligible for medical assistance under the State plan approved under title XIX in the month immediately preceding the first month in which the individual qualified for a benefit under such subsection or met such requirements,
shall remain eligible for medical assistance under such plan for so long as the individual qualifies for a benefit under such subsection or meets such requirements.
(c) Subsection (a)(2) and section 1631(j)(2)(A) shall not be construed, singly or jointly, to require more than 1 determination during any 12-month period with respect to the continuing disability or blindness of an individual.
(d) The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Education shall jointly develop and disseminate information, and establish training programs for staff personnel, with respect to the potential availability of benefits and services for disabled individuals under the provisions of this section. The Commissioner of Social Security shall provide such information to individuals who are applicants for and recipients of benefits based on disability under this title and shall conduct such programs for the staffs of the district offices of the Social Security Administration. The Secretary of Education shall conduct such programs for the staffs of the State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, and in cooperation with such agencies shall also provide such information to other appropriate individuals and to public and private organizations and agencies which are concerned with rehabilitation and social services or which represent the disabled.
[66] See Vol. II, P.L. 96-265, §201(e), with respect to the maintenance of separate accounts.