How Much You Can Earn While Receiving SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has two earnings limits that determine whether you keep your full benefit, lose part of it, or lose it entirely. The first limit is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and the second is the Trial Work Period. Which one applies to you depends on how long you have been receiving SSDI and how much you are earning.
The SGA limit changes every year. For 2024, it is $1,550 per month for most people receiving SSDI, and $2,590 per month if you are blind. If you earn more than these amounts in a month, Social Security counts that month as a month of work, and your benefit stops. However, you get a nine-month Trial Work Period first, during which you can earn any amount without losing your benefit.
After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of may be able to access. During this time, you lose your benefit only in months when you earn more than the SGA limit. Once the 36 months end, your benefit stops permanently if you are still working above the SGA limit — unless you stop working and reapply later.
Key Takeaways
- You can earn any amount during your nine-month Trial Work Period without losing your SSDI benefit.
- After the Trial Work Period, you lose your benefit in any month you earn more than the SGA limit ($1,550 in 2024 for most people, $2,590 if blind).
- The SGA limit increases each year, so check the current amount on the Social Security website before you start working.
- You have a 36-month Extended Period of may be able to access after your Trial Work Period ends, during which you can still receive benefits in months you earn below the SGA limit.
Understanding the Trial Work Period
The Trial Work Period is a nine-month window that begins the first month you work and earn money after starting SSDI. During these nine months, you can earn any amount — $100 a month or $5,000 a month — and keep your full SSDI benefit. Social Security does not count months in which you earn less than $1,050 (in 2024) toward your nine-month count, so the period can stretch longer than nine calendar months if you have low-earning months mixed in.
The nine months do not have to be consecutive. If you work for three months, stop for two months, then work again for six months, all nine working months count toward your Trial Work Period. The key is that each month you earn $1,050 or more counts as one of your nine months, regardless of how much you actually earn that month.
You should report your earnings to Social Security every month during the Trial Work Period. Social Security will not ask you to repay benefits if you earn more than expected, but you must report accurately so the agency can track when your nine months end.
What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends
Once you have used all nine months of your Trial Work Period, you enter the Extended Period of may be able to access. This 36-month period begins the month after your ninth Trial Work Period month ends. During these 36 months, you receive your SSDI benefit in any month you earn less than the SGA limit, and you lose your benefit in any month you earn the SGA limit or more.
The Extended Period of may be able to access is a safety net. If you try working and find you cannot sustain it, you can stop or reduce your hours, drop back below the SGA limit, and your benefits resume. You do not have to reapply or wait for approval — your benefit straightforward restarts the next month you earn below the limit.
After the 36-month Extended Period ends, the rules change. If you are still working above the SGA limit, your SSDI stops and does not restart unless you stop working for a full month and reapply. This is why the Extended Period is important: it gives you time to test whether work is sustainable before your benefit ends permanently.
How Social Security Counts Your Earnings
Social Security counts gross earnings — the money you earn before taxes, not what you take home. If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit (revenue minus business expenses), not your gross revenue. If you work for someone else, they count your wages before deductions.
Social Security does not count certain types of income. Gifts, loans, inheritances, investment income, and rental income do not count toward the SGA limit. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) — costs you pay to work because of your disability, such as a personal assistant, medication, or medical equipment — can be deducted from your earnings. Plan to Work (PASS) expenses, which are costs for a work goal, can also reduce your countable earnings.
You must report your earnings to Social Security within the month you earn them. If you are paid monthly, report in the month you receive the payment, not the month you worked. If you are paid weekly or biweekly, add up all payments received in the calendar month and report that total.
The SGA Limit Changes Every Year
The Substantial Gainful Activity limit is adjusted each January based on the national average wage index. The 2024 limit is $1,550 per month for most people and $2,590 for people who are blind. The 2023 limit was $1,470 and $2,460. The 2022 limit was $1,350 and $2,260.
Because the limit changes, you should check the current year's amount before you start working or increase your hours. Social Security publishes the new limit in December for the following year. You can find it on the Social Security website under "Earnings Test" or call your local Social Security office to confirm the current limit.
If you are near the SGA limit, a small raise or bonus could push you over in a single month. Plan your work hours and expected earnings with the current limit in mind, and leave a small buffer if possible.
Working While Receiving SSDI: A Timeline
| Period | Duration | Earnings Rule | What Happens to Your Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Work Period | 9 months (non-consecutive) | Earn any amount | You keep your full benefit every month |
| Extended Period of may be able to access | 36 months after Trial Work Period ends | Lose benefit only in months you earn above SGA limit | Benefit continues in low-earning months, stops in high-earning months |
| After Extended Period | Ongoing | Must earn below SGA limit to receive benefit | Benefit stops permanently if you earn above limit; must stop working and reapply to restart |
What to Do Before You Start Working
Before you take a job or increase your hours, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the current SGA limit and ask whether you have already used any of your Trial Work Period months. If you have been working informally or part-time, Social Security may have already counted some months toward your nine.
Tell Social Security about your work plan. You do not need permission to work, but reporting your plan in advance helps you understand how your benefit will be affected. Ask about Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Plan to Work if you have costs related to your disability or a work goal — these can reduce your countable earnings and extend how long you can work before hitting the SGA limit.
Keep records of your earnings, hours, and any work-related expenses. Save pay stubs, invoices if you are self-employed, and receipts for disability-related work costs. If Social Security questions your earnings later, you will have documentation to back up your reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work part-time and still receive SSDI?
Yes. During your nine-month Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount. After that, you can work part-time as long as you earn less than the SGA limit in that month. Many people receive SSDI while working 10 to 20 hours per week at part-time wages.
What if I earn more than the SGA limit by accident in one month?
That month counts as a work month and your benefit stops for that month only. You do not have to repay the benefit you received. If you are in your Extended Period of may be able to access, your benefit resumes the next month if you earn below the limit again.
Does my spouse's income count toward the SGA limit?
No. Only your own earnings count. Your spouse's income does not affect your SSDI benefit or your SGA limit, though it may affect other benefits your household receives.
Can I get my SSDI back after it stops due to work?
If you stop working and earn below the SGA limit for a full month, your benefit restarts automatically during your Extended Period of may be able to access. After the Extended Period ends, you must stop working for a full month and then reapply to get SSDI back.
How do I report my earnings to Social Security?
You can report earnings online through your my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Report within the month you earn the money. If you work for an employer, ask them for a pay stub to confirm the gross amount.