Becoming a Notary Does Not Automatically End Your SSDI

Working as a notary public will not automatically disqualify you from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have a rule that says "notaries cannot receive SSDI." What matters instead is how much money you earn and whether your work demonstrates that you can do substantial gainful activity — the SSA's term for work that generates significant income or shows you have recovered from your disability.

A notary commission is a credential issued by your state that allows you to witness signatures and certify documents. Many people hold a notary commission while working part-time or as a side task within another job. The SSA evaluates your actual earnings and the nature of the work you perform, not the title on your commission.

Key Takeaways

  • The SSA does not prohibit notary work; it examines your monthly earnings and whether the work shows you can perform substantial gainful activity.
  • If you earn more than the monthly substantial gainful activity limit (which changes yearly), the SSA may find you no longer disabled, even if notary work is part-time.
  • Part-time notary work that generates minimal income alongside other work may not trigger a benefit review if your total earnings stay below the threshold.
  • You must report all work and earnings to the SSA within 30 days of starting any job, including notary work, even if you think it will not affect your benefits.
  • The SSA may conduct a continuing disability review if your work activity increases, which could result in a medical examination or work capacity assessment.

How the SSA Measures Work Activity

The SSA uses two main measures to decide whether your work means you are no longer disabled: substantial gainful activity (SGA) and work incentives that protect your benefits during a trial period.

Substantial gainful activity is defined by a monthly earnings threshold. For 2024, that threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If you earn more than this amount in a month, the SSA will assume you are capable of substantial work and may begin a review of your disability status. This does not mean your benefits stop when ready, but it signals that the SSA needs to reassess whether your medical condition still prevents you from working.

Part-time notary work that pays you $200 or $300 per month will not cross this threshold by itself. However, if you combine notary income with other work, your total monthly earnings could exceed SGA. The SSA counts all income from all sources when making this information.

The Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access

The SSA offers a trial work period that lets you test your ability to work without losing benefits. During this period, you can earn any amount and keep your full SSDI payment. The trial work period lasts nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month window.

After your trial work period ends, you enter the extended may be able to access period, which lasts 36 months. During extended may be able to access, you can continue to receive SSDI payments in any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold, even if you earned above SGA in other months. This means you could work as a notary some months and earn below SGA, then earn above SGA in other months, and still receive benefits in the low-earning months.

If you have not yet used your trial work period, notary work is a low-risk way to test whether you can sustain work. If you have already used it, you still have the extended may be able to access cushion to fall back on.

Reporting Your Notary Work to the SSA

You are required to report all work to the SSA within 30 days of starting a job. This includes notary work, whether it is your only income source or a side activity. Failing to report work is one of the most common reasons the SSA overpays beneficiaries and later demands repayment.

When you report, tell the SSA the name of the business or entity you work for (or that you are self-employed), the type of work you do, when you started, and how much you expect to earn per month. If you work as an independent notary, you are self-employed, and the SSA will ask about your net monthly income after business expenses.

You can report work by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by logging into your my Social Security account online. Reporting does not automatically trigger a benefit reduction — it straightforward creates a record that the SSA uses to monitor your case.

When the SSA Conducts a Continuing Disability Review

If your work activity increases or your earnings approach the SGA threshold, the SSA may schedule a continuing disability review (CDR). This is a reassessment of whether your medical condition still prevents you from working. The timing of a CDR depends on how certain the SSA is about your condition. If your condition is expected to improve, you may be reviewed every one to three years. If it is not expected to improve, reviews may happen every five to seven years.

Work activity can trigger an earlier review. The SSA may send you a form asking you to describe your current medical condition, your treatment, and your work. You may also be asked to attend a medical examination. The SSA will then decide whether your condition still meets the disability standard or whether you have recovered enough to work.

If the SSA finds you are no longer disabled, your benefits will end. You will receive a notice explaining the decision and your right to appeal. You have 65 days from the date on the notice to request an appeal.

Self-Employment and Notary Income

If you become a notary and work for yourself (rather than as an employee of a title company or law firm), the SSA treats your income as self-employment income. Self-employment income is calculated as your gross revenue minus business expenses. Expenses might include the cost of your notary bond, office supplies, travel, or a portion of your home office rent.

The SSA uses a different test for self-employment called the substantial gainful activity test for self-employment. In general, if you earn more than the SGA threshold after deducting legitimate business expenses, the SSA will assume you are doing substantial work. However, the SSA also looks at the number of hours you work and the nature of the work. If you work very few hours per week as a notary, the SSA may conclude that the work is not substantial even if your hourly rate is high.

Keep detailed records of all notary income and business expenses. The SSA will ask for these records if your case is reviewed.

What Happens If Your Benefits Are Terminated

If the SSA finds that your work activity or medical improvement means you are no longer disabled, your SSDI benefits will end. The SSA will send you a notice at least 10 days before the termination takes effect. You have the right to appeal this decision.

If you appeal and lose, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. During the hearing, you can present medical evidence, testimony from your doctors, and evidence about the demands of your notary work. Many people who appeal a termination decision win because they can show that their medical condition still prevents them from working full-time or that their notary work is truly part-time and does not represent substantial gainful activity.

Even if your benefits are terminated, you may be may have access to to a period of expedited reinstatement if you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA within five years. This means you can restart your benefits without filing a new process or waiting for a new medical review, as long as you meet the conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a notary and keep my SSDI if I only earn a few hundred dollars a month?

Yes, if your notary income alone stays well below the SGA threshold (currently $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals), it should not trigger a benefit termination. However, you must still report the income to the SSA within 30 days of starting work. If you have other income sources, the SSA will count all of them together.

Do I have to tell the SSA I got my notary commission?

You do not have to report the commission itself, but you must report any work or income that results from it. If you obtain a notary commission but do not perform notary work or earn money from it, there is nothing to report. Once you begin earning income as a notary, you must report it within 30 days.

What if I work as a notary for a law firm or title company as an employee?

Employee notary work is treated like any other job. Your wages are reported to the SSA, and the SGA threshold applies. If you earn above SGA, the SSA may review your case. If you earn below SGA, your benefits continue. Make sure your employer reports your wages correctly to Social Security.

Will becoming a notary automatically trigger a disability review?

No. straightforward obtaining a notary commission does not trigger a review. A review is triggered by reported work activity and earnings. If you report notary income that approaches or exceeds the SGA threshold, the SSA is more likely to schedule a review, but the commission itself is not the cause.

Can I appeal if the SSA terminates my benefits because of notary work?

Yes. You have 65 days from the date of the termination notice to request an appeal. You can argue that your notary work does not constitute substantial gainful activity, that your medical condition still prevents full-time work, or that the SSA made an error in calculating your earnings. An administrative law judge will review your case and your medical evidence.