Your First Payment and What Comes Next
Once you start collecting disability benefits, you receive a monthly payment from Social Security. The amount depends on your work history and earnings record — Social Security calculates it based on the average of your highest 35 years of earnings. Your first payment arrives the month after your may be able to access date, which Social Security sets based on when your condition began and when you filed.
You will receive payments by direct deposit into a bank account, or by debit card if you do not have a bank account. Social Security sends a notice each year showing your payment amount and any changes. You are responsible for reporting certain life changes to Social Security — if you do not, your payments may stop or you may owe money back.
Key Takeaways
- Your monthly payment amount is based on your work history, not on how severe your condition is or how much money you need.
- You must report changes in your living situation, work, income, and marital status to Social Security within 10 days or risk losing benefits.
- You can work part-time and still collect benefits during the Trial Work Period, which lasts nine months and does not reduce your payment.
- Medicare coverage begins automatically 24 months after your disability began, even if you are still working.
- If you stop collecting benefits because you return to work, you can restart them without reapplying if you become unable to work again within five years.
Changes You Must Report to Social Security
Social Security requires you to report specific changes within 10 days. These include: you start or stop working, your income changes, you marry or divorce, someone moves into or out of your home, you move to a different address, you are arrested or convicted of a crime, you leave the United States for more than 30 days, or your medical condition improves significantly.
You report changes by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office in person, or using your online account at ssa.gov. If you do not report a change and Social Security discovers it later, you may have to repay benefits you received while ineligible. This debt can be collected from future payments or through other means.
Some changes do not affect your benefits. For example, if you receive money as a gift, inherit money, or win a lawsuit settlement, you do not have to report it. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to disability, the rules are stricter — you must report changes to your living situation and income when ready.
Working While Collecting Disability
You can work and still collect disability benefits under specific conditions. During the Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits. Social Security counts a month as a trial work month if you earn more than $1,090 per month (this amount changes each year). The nine months do not have to be consecutive — they are spread across a rolling 60-month window.
After your nine trial work months end, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period, which lasts 36 months. During this time, you keep your benefits in any month you earn $1,550 or less (this amount also changes yearly). If you earn more than that in a month, you do not receive a payment that month, but you do not lose your benefits permanently.
If you work and your earnings stay below the limits, you continue collecting your full monthly payment. If you stop working or your earnings drop below the limit, your benefits restart automatically. You do not have to reapply. If you work and your earnings stay above the limit for nine consecutive months, your benefits end, but you can request reinstatement within five years if you become unable to work again.
Medicare and Medicaid Coverage
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) begin automatically 24 months after your disability began, regardless of whether you are working. You do not have to request it — Social Security enrolls you automatically. You will receive a Medicare card in the mail about three months before coverage starts.
You pay a monthly premium for Part B, which is deducted from your disability payment. In 2024, the standard premium is $164.90 per month, but your premium may be higher or lower depending on your income. If you cannot afford the premium, you may be able to get help through your state's Medicaid program.
Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some states cover people receiving disability automatically; others require a separate process. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn what is available where you live. If you work and your earnings increase, you may lose Medicaid even if you keep your disability benefits, depending on your state's rules.
Overpayments and What You Owe Back
An overpayment occurs when Social Security pays you more than you were may have access to to receive. This can happen if you do not report a change in your situation, if you continue working past the point where you should have lost benefits, or if Social Security makes an error. When Social Security discovers an overpayment, it sends you a notice explaining the amount and why you owe it.
Social Security can recover an overpayment by reducing your future benefits, by withholding your tax refund, or by referring the debt to a collection agency. You have the right to request a waiver of the overpayment if you were not at fault and repaying it would cause you hardship. You must request the waiver in writing within 60 days of receiving the overpayment notice.
If you disagree with the overpayment amount or believe you do not owe it, you can request an appeal. The appeal process is separate from a waiver request. You have 60 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal with Social Security.
Annual Earnings Report and Benefit Verification
If you work while collecting disability, you may need to file an Annual Earnings Report with Social Security. This report tells Social Security how much you earned during the year so it can determine whether your benefits should continue. Social Security will contact you if you need to file one.
You should also verify your benefits each year by updating your information online at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. This confirms that your address, payment method, and other details are correct. If your information changes and you do not update it, you may miss important notices or have your payment sent to the wrong place.
Social Security also conducts periodic reviews of your medical condition to determine whether you still meet the definition of disability. These reviews happen at different intervals depending on your condition — some people are reviewed every three years, others every five or seven years. Social Security will send you a notice before the review and tell you what medical evidence to submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my benefits if I get married or divorced?
You must report your marriage or divorce to Social Security within 10 days. Marriage does not stop your benefits, but it may affect other benefits you receive, such as Supplemental Security Income or family benefits. Divorce does not affect your disability benefits directly, but it may affect spousal or family benefits if others are collecting on your record.
Can I lose my benefits if I do not report a change?
Yes. If you do not report a change that affects your benefits — such as returning to work or moving — Social Security may continue paying you when you are no longer may have access to. You will then owe the money back. Reporting changes within 10 days protects you from overpayment debt.
What if my medical condition improves and I can work again?
You must report the improvement to Social Security. Your benefits will not stop when ready. Social Security will review your case and determine whether you still meet the disability definition. If you can work and earn above the limit, your benefits will end, but you can request reinstatement within five years if you become unable to work again without reapplying.
Do I have to pay taxes on my disability benefits?
Disability benefits may be taxable depending on your total income. If your combined income (benefits plus other income) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85 percent of your benefits may be subject to federal income tax. You do not pay Social Security or Medicare taxes on disability benefits. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
What should I do if I think Social Security made a mistake on my payment?
Contact Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Explain what you believe is wrong. If Social Security agrees there was an error, it will correct your payment. If you disagree with Social Security's response, you can file a formal appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice.