As you can see below, there have been no changes from the 2010 amounts except for an increase in the Medicare Part B premiums.

The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for individuals with disabilities, other than blindness, is $1,000 for 2011. The amount is unchanged from 2010.

The SGA amount for individuals who are blind is $1,640 for 2011. The amount is unchanged from 2010.

The monthly earnings amount that we use to determine if a month counts for the Trial Work Period (TWP) is $720 for 2011. The amount is unchanged from 2010.

For 2011, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rates (FBR) are $674 for an eligible individual and $1,011 for an eligible couple. The amounts are unchanged from 2010.

For 2011, the monthly Medicare Part B premium increases to $114.50.

Millions of Americans will no longer be able to get their Social Security retirement and disability checks by mail, under a new timetable.

Those already receiving Social Security will have until March 1, 2013, to make the switch to direct deposit or a debit card. New recipients of Social Security benefits will have to accept paperless payment sooner - as of May 1, 2011.

The government has decided, however, to allow people who are 90 and over and still getting Social Security benefit checks, to continue to receive their paper checks. The government estimates there are 275,000 people who fall into this category.

For people who do not have a bank account, Social Security has an option that allows them to use a Direct Express debit MasterCard.  More than 1.5 million people have obtained these cards since they were first issued in 2008.

In addition to the automatic waiver from electronic payments for those 90 and over, people living in remote areas who might have trouble getting to a bank can also petition for a waiver from the new rules.  Social Security expects fewer than 1 percent of current benefit recipients will petition for a waiver.

Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue said that people should not wait until the deadlines to make the switch to electronic payments. "Switching now eliminates the risks of lost and stolen checks and provides immediate access to your money on payment day," Astrue said.

To help with the switchover for those still getting paper checks, the government has created a website, 

www.GoDirect.org