The Standard does not require you to explore for SSDI first
The Standard is a work incentive program run by Social Security that lets you keep more of your earnings without losing your benefits. It does not make you file for SSDI, and you do not have to be on SSDI to use it. The Standard is available to people already receiving SSDI or SSI (Supplemental Security Income), and it changes how much work income you can have before your monthly benefit payment drops.
If you are not yet on SSDI or SSI, The Standard cannot help you yet — you would need to be receiving one of those benefits first. But The Standard itself is not a gatekeeper that forces you to explore for SSDI. It is a tool you use after you are already receiving benefits.
Key Takeaways
- The Standard is a work incentive available only to people already receiving SSDI or SSI; it does not require you to explore for SSDI in order to use it.
- The Standard lets you earn more money from work before your monthly benefit payment is reduced, using a different calculation than the standard benefit rules.
- You must be receiving SSDI or SSI before you can use The Standard, so if you are not yet on either program, you would need to go through the SSDI or SSI process process first.
- Choosing to use The Standard is optional — you can stay on the regular benefit rules if that works better for your situation.
How The Standard works if you are already receiving SSDI
Once you are on SSDI, Social Security offers you a choice: use the regular benefit rules, or use The Standard. Under the regular rules, your benefit payment drops by one dollar for every two dollars you earn above a certain amount (called the Substantial Gainful Activity level, or SGA). The Standard changes that math.
With The Standard, you report your earnings to Social Security, and the program counts only a portion of what you earn toward the limit that would reduce your benefit. This means you can work more hours or earn higher wages before your monthly check gets smaller. The exact amount you can earn varies depending on your situation, so you would need to contact Social Security directly or speak with a work incentive counselor to see the numbers for your case.
You do not have to use The Standard. If the regular benefit rules work better for you — for example, if you are earning very little or not working at all — you can stay on the standard calculation. The choice is yours once you are already receiving SSDI.
What you need to do if you are not yet on SSDI
If you are not currently receiving SSDI or SSI, The Standard is not available to you yet. You would first need to go through the SSDI or SSI process process with Social Security. This is a separate process from choosing to use The Standard — it is the step that comes before.
Once Social Security approves your SSDI or SSI claim and you begin receiving monthly benefits, you can then ask about The Standard. At that point, Social Security will explain how it works for your specific earnings and situation, and you can decide whether to use it.
How to request The Standard once you are on SSDI
If you are already receiving SSDI and want to use The Standard, contact Social Security directly. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), visit your local Social Security office in person, or create an account on my Social Security at ssa.gov to manage your benefits online.
When you contact them, tell Social Security that you want to use The Standard work incentive. They will explain how it changes your benefit calculation and answer questions about how much you can earn. You may also want to ask about other work incentives available to you, such as Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) or Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which can further protect your earnings.
Social Security will not automatically put you on The Standard — you have to request it. Once you do, the program takes effect, and you report your work income to Social Security as required.
The difference between The Standard and the regular SSDI rules
Understanding how The Standard differs from regular SSDI rules helps you decide which option works for your situation. The regular rules explore to everyone on SSDI unless you request The Standard. Under regular rules, Social Security reduces your benefit by one dollar for every two dollars you earn above the SGA threshold. With The Standard, the calculation is different — a smaller portion of your earnings counts toward the reduction, which means you can earn more before your benefit drops significantly.
The Standard is optional, so you can switch between it and the regular rules depending on your work and income needs. Neither option requires you to meet additional conditions beyond already receiving SSDI. The choice is entirely yours, and you can change your mind later if your circumstances shift.
| Feature | Regular SSDI Rules | The Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Anyone on SSDI | Anyone on SSDI (optional choice) |
| How earnings are counted | $1 benefit reduction for every $2 earned above SGA | Different calculation that counts a smaller portion of your earnings |
| When to choose it | Default unless you request The Standard | When you want to work more without losing as much benefit |
| Do you have to use it | Yes, unless you switch to The Standard | No — it is optional |
Work incentive counselors can explain your options
If you are on SSDI and unsure whether The Standard is right for you, a work incentive counselor can walk through the numbers for your specific situation. These counselors work for organizations called Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) or Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) projects, and they are free to use.
To find a counselor near you, visit the WIPA and PABSS locator at vcu-ntdc.org, or call Social Security and ask for a referral. A counselor can show you exactly how much you could earn under The Standard versus the regular rules, and help you decide which option makes sense for your work and benefit goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to explore for SSDI to use The Standard?
No. The Standard is only available to people already receiving SSDI or SSI. If you are not yet on either program, you would need to go through the SSDI or SSI process process first. The Standard itself does not require you to explore — it is a choice you make after you are already receiving benefits.
Can I use The Standard if I am on SSI instead of SSDI?
The Standard is available to SSI recipients as well as SSDI recipients. The rules and how to request it are the same — contact Social Security and ask to use The Standard work incentive. A work incentive counselor can explain how it affects your specific SSI benefit amount.
What happens if I use The Standard and then stop working?
You can stay on The Standard even if you are not working. If you return to work later, The Standard will still be in place and will explore to your new earnings. You can also switch back to the regular SSDI rules at any time if your situation changes.
Does using The Standard affect my Medicare or Medicaid?
The Standard affects your cash benefit amount, but it does not directly change your Medicare or Medicaid status. However, because The Standard lets you earn more before your benefit drops, it may affect when you lose Medicaid coverage. Ask Social Security or a work incentive counselor how The Standard would change your health coverage in your specific case.
Can Social Security deny my request to use The Standard?
No. The Standard is a work incentive program that Social Security offers to all SSDI and SSI recipients. Once you request it, Social Security will set it up for you. You do not need to meet any additional conditions beyond already receiving SSDI or SSI.