What the TERI Waiting Period Is and Why It Exists

The TERI waiting period is a nine-month window that starts when you return to work after receiving SSDI. During these nine months, Social Security counts your work earnings against your SSDI payment using a different rule than usual — one that is more generous to you. After the nine months end, the standard earnings rules take over.

TERI stands for "Ticket to Employment and Reporting Improvement." The waiting period exists because Social Security wants to encourage people on SSDI to test their ability to work without when ready losing their entire benefit. If you tried work and discovered you could not sustain it, you would not face a gap where you had no income at all.

The TERI waiting period is part of the Ticket to Work program, which is a voluntary program you must enroll in to use it. straightforward going back to work does not automatically trigger TERI protection — you have to choose to participate in Ticket to Work first.

Key Takeaways

  • The TERI waiting period lasts nine months from the month you return to work, and it only applies if you are enrolled in the Ticket to Work program.
  • During TERI, Social Security uses the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) earnings rules, which allow you to set aside income and work expenses without losing your full benefit.
  • After the nine-month TERI period ends, your earnings are measured against the standard Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024 (the amount changes yearly).
  • If you stop working or your work ends during TERI, the nine-month clock does not restart — you do not get another TERI period unless you enroll in Ticket to Work again.
  • TERI protection ends automatically if you leave the Ticket to Work program or if Social Security terminates your case for medical improvement.

How TERI Changes the Way Your Earnings Are Counted

During the TERI waiting period, Social Security does not straightforward subtract your gross wages from your SSDI payment. Instead, it allows you to deduct work expenses and set aside income toward a work goal — much like the PASS program does. This means you can earn more money and still receive your full SSDI check.

For example, if you earn $2,000 per month but have $600 in work-related expenses (transportation, uniforms, assistive technology, or childcare required for work), Social Security counts only $1,400 toward your benefit reduction. You can also set aside additional income in a PASS plan if you have a specific work goal, such as saving for a business license or training.

This is much more favorable than the standard SGA rule, which straightforward looks at whether your gross earnings exceed a monthly threshold. Once TERI ends, Social Security switches back to the standard rule, and your benefit may drop or stop if your earnings are too high.

When the TERI Waiting Period Starts and Ends

The TERI waiting period begins in the month you return to work — the first month you earn wages while enrolled in Ticket to Work. It runs for exactly nine calendar months from that starting month.

For example, if you enroll in Ticket to Work in January and start working in March, the TERI period runs from March through November (nine months). In December, the standard SGA rules take over, and Social Security measures your earnings against the monthly SGA limit.

The nine-month period does not pause if you take time off work, reduce your hours, or have a month with no earnings. The clock keeps running. If you stop working entirely during TERI, the period still ends after nine months — you do not get to "save" unused months for later.

What Happens When TERI Ends

When your nine-month TERI period ends, Social Security stops using the PASS-like earnings rules and switches to the standard SGA threshold. Your benefit is now reduced or terminated if your monthly earnings exceed the SGA limit, which is adjusted each year. In 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries.

If you want to continue working and keep your SSDI, you have other work incentives available — such as the Student Earned Income Exclusion (if you are under 22), the Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) deduction, or a PASS plan. These are separate from TERI and can be used after TERI ends, but they require you to set them up in advance with Social Security.

Many people do not realize that TERI is temporary and assume their earnings will always be treated favorably. It is important to plan ahead: if you know you will be earning above the SGA limit after TERI ends, talk to a work incentives planning counselor (WIPC) about setting up a PASS or IRWE before the nine months are up.

How to Enroll in Ticket to Work to Access TERI

You must be enrolled in the Ticket to Work program to use the TERI waiting period. Ticket to Work is a voluntary program run by Social Security and the Ticket to Work program office. To enroll, you can call 1-866-4-TICKET (1-866-484-2532) or visit the official Ticket to Work website at choosework.ssa.gov.

When you enroll, you receive a ticket that you can assign to an employment network (EN) — a provider approved by Social Security to help you find and keep work. You do not have to use an EN; you can work on your own and still receive TERI protection as long as you are enrolled in Ticket to Work. However, many people find that an EN provides useful support.

Enrollment is free and does not change your current SSDI payment. You remain on SSDI while you are in Ticket to Work, and you can leave the program at any time without penalty.

TERI and Your Medicare or Medicaid Coverage

The TERI waiting period does not affect your Medicare or Medicaid. If you are receiving Medicare because you have been on SSDI for 24 months, you keep Medicare even if your SSDI payment stops after TERI ends. If you are on Medicaid, your coverage may change based on your earnings and your state's rules, but TERI itself does not trigger a loss of coverage.

This is one reason TERI is valuable: you can test work, earn money, and keep your health insurance while you figure out whether work is sustainable for you. If you discover you cannot work, you can stop and your SSDI will resume without a waiting period (as long as you report the change to Social Security).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One frequent mistake is assuming that straightforward returning to work puts you in TERI. You must actively enroll in Ticket to Work first. If you start working without enrolling, you are subject to standard SGA rules from day one, and your benefit may stop when ready if you earn too much.

Another mistake is not tracking the nine-month important date. Many people lose track of when TERI ends and are surprised when their benefit drops or stops in month ten. Mark your calendar or set a reminder for the end of your TERI period, and contact a work incentives planning counselor at least two months before it ends to discuss your options.

A third mistake is not reporting your work to Social Security. You must report your earnings each month, even during TERI. Failure to report can result in an overpayment that you will have to repay, or termination of your case for fraud. Report through your my Social Security account online, by phone, or by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use TERI if I am already working?

No. TERI only applies if you enroll in Ticket to Work and then return to work (or increase your work hours significantly). If you are already working when you enroll in Ticket to Work, the TERI waiting period does not explore. You would be subject to standard SGA rules when ready.

What if I work for only a few months during TERI and then stop?

The nine-month TERI period continues to run even if you stop working. You do not get a second TERI period unless you enroll in Ticket to Work again. If you return to work later, you would start a new nine-month TERI period from the month you resume work.

Do I have to use an employment network to get TERI?

No. TERI protection applies as long as you are enrolled in Ticket to Work, whether or not you assign your ticket to an employment network. You can work independently and still receive TERI benefits. However, an EN can provide job coaching, placement services, and ongoing support.

What happens to TERI if my medical condition improves?

If Social Security determines that your condition has improved and you are no longer disabled, your SSDI case terminates and TERI protection ends. However, you would have a nine-month trial work period and a 36-month extended may be able to access period to continue working while your case is being reviewed.

Can I set up a PASS plan during TERI?

Yes. A PASS plan can be used during TERI to set aside additional income toward a work goal. This can allow you to earn even more while keeping your full SSDI payment. You should work with a work incentives planning counselor to design a PASS that works alongside your TERI period.