Redefine social media income as passive for SSDI recipients
The Issue
My journey on TikTok has been a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs that are beyond my control. Like many others, I depend on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to make ends meet due to my disabilities. I ventured into TikTok hoping to supplement my income with the small commissions I earn from occasional viral videos. However, this unpredictable and sporadic income stream now threatens my SSDI benefits, leading to potential financial instability.
The current system classifies all income, regardless of its nature, as active when determining SSDI eligibility. This approach does not account for the unique nature of social media earnings. Unlike a traditional job, where income is predictable, social media income is anything but. A viral video can spike earnings one month, while the following month might bring nothing at all. It’s the very definition of passive income – something that occurs beyond our control and without a consistent effort.
The stakes are high. Imagine having a brief success on social media, leading to a temporary increase in income, only to have your essential SSDI benefits reduced or lost. It is a precarious balancing act that leaves many of us living on the edge, constantly worried about the future. If we redefine these earnings as passive, it would provide much-needed security for those of us relying on SSDI, allowing us to explore new streams of income without the fear of losing vital support.
Other governments and organizations have recognized the unpredictability of social media earnings by classifying them separately from active income. It is time for the United States to follow suit and modernize its SSDI income classification system. A fair and realistic policy update would consider the fluctuating nature of social media income, providing a safety net for SSDI recipients who explore these platforms.
The solution is clear: amend current SSDI policy to categorize and treat social media earnings as passive income. This update would acknowledge the realities of today’s digital economy and support people like me, who are trying to make a living within their capabilities.
Please sign this petition to urge the Social Security Administration to recognize the unique characteristics of social media income and safeguard the future financial stability of thousands of SSDI recipients. Your signature can help bring about a necessary change that reflects the realities of the modern world.
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The Issue
My journey on TikTok has been a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs that are beyond my control. Like many others, I depend on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to make ends meet due to my disabilities. I ventured into TikTok hoping to supplement my income with the small commissions I earn from occasional viral videos. However, this unpredictable and sporadic income stream now threatens my SSDI benefits, leading to potential financial instability.
The current system classifies all income, regardless of its nature, as active when determining SSDI eligibility. This approach does not account for the unique nature of social media earnings. Unlike a traditional job, where income is predictable, social media income is anything but. A viral video can spike earnings one month, while the following month might bring nothing at all. It’s the very definition of passive income – something that occurs beyond our control and without a consistent effort.
The stakes are high. Imagine having a brief success on social media, leading to a temporary increase in income, only to have your essential SSDI benefits reduced or lost. It is a precarious balancing act that leaves many of us living on the edge, constantly worried about the future. If we redefine these earnings as passive, it would provide much-needed security for those of us relying on SSDI, allowing us to explore new streams of income without the fear of losing vital support.
Other governments and organizations have recognized the unpredictability of social media earnings by classifying them separately from active income. It is time for the United States to follow suit and modernize its SSDI income classification system. A fair and realistic policy update would consider the fluctuating nature of social media income, providing a safety net for SSDI recipients who explore these platforms.
The solution is clear: amend current SSDI policy to categorize and treat social media earnings as passive income. This update would acknowledge the realities of today’s digital economy and support people like me, who are trying to make a living within their capabilities.
Please sign this petition to urge the Social Security Administration to recognize the unique characteristics of social media income and safeguard the future financial stability of thousands of SSDI recipients. Your signature can help bring about a necessary change that reflects the realities of the modern world.
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Petition created on August 5, 2026