SSDI has an earnings limit, but it's not zero
You can work and receive SSDI at the same time, but Social Security stops your benefits once your monthly earnings go above a certain amount. That amount changes each year. For 2024, you can earn up to $1,550 per month before Social Security counts it against your benefits. If you earn more than that, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit.
The limit applies to work you do for pay — wages from a job, self-employment income, or anything else you earn. It does not include money from savings, investments, gifts, or other benefits like unemployment or food information. Social Security only looks at what you earn, not what you own.
This earnings limit exists for nine months. After that, a different rule takes over. Once you have worked and earned above the limit for nine months in a rolling 60-month period, Social Security stops your benefits entirely for any month you earn above the limit — even if you only go over by a dollar. This is called the trial work period and the extended period of may be able to access.
Key Takeaways
- You can earn up to $1,550 per month in 2024 without losing any SSDI benefits, but this amount increases slightly each year.
- Earnings above the limit reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn over, for the first nine months you work.
- After nine months of earnings above the limit, Social Security stops your entire benefit for any month you earn above the threshold.
- You must report your earnings to Social Security within the month you earn them, or you risk overpayment and having to repay benefits.
- Some work-related expenses and plans can reduce your countable earnings, but you need to report them to Social Security in advance.
The trial work period: your first nine months of work
When you start working while on SSDI, Social Security gives you nine months to test whether you can sustain work. During these nine months, you keep your full SSDI benefit no matter how much you earn — as long as you report your earnings. Social Security does not count months where you earn less than $980 per month (in 2024) toward your nine-month trial period, so you can have months where you work very little and they do not count against your limit.
The nine months do not have to be consecutive. If you work for three months, stop for two months, then work again, only the months where you earned above $980 count. This gives you flexibility to test different jobs or adjust your work schedule without losing your safety net.
After your nine months are up, the extended period of may be able to access begins. For the next 36 months, you can still receive SSDI in any month where your earnings fall back below the monthly limit. This means you can work some months and not work others, and keep your benefits in the months you earn less.
What happens after the extended period ends
Once 36 months have passed since the end of your trial work period, SSDI stops. You can no longer receive benefits based on disability. If you stop working or your earnings drop, you cannot restart SSDI — you would have to reapply and go through the entire process again, including medical review.
This is why it matters to understand the timeline. If you work steadily and earn above the limit for nine months, you have 36 more months where you can work part-time or take breaks and still have SSDI as a safety net. But once those 36 months end, the benefit ends permanently unless you reapply.
Some people use this time to build work history and move toward full-time employment. Others use it to test whether they can work at all. Either way, Social Security expects you to understand that SSDI is temporary once you start working above the limit.
How to report your earnings
You must report your earnings to Social Security within the month you earn them. You can report by phone, mail, or online through your Social Security account. If you do not report, Social Security will eventually discover the earnings through tax records and you will owe back the benefits you should not have received.
When you report, tell Social Security your gross earnings — the amount before taxes are taken out. Include all work income: wages, tips, bonuses, and self-employment income. Do not subtract taxes, transportation costs, or other expenses from the number you report, though some work-related costs can reduce your countable earnings if you report them separately.
Keep records of your pay stubs or invoices. Social Security may ask to see them. If you are self-employed, keep records of your income and business expenses, because self-employment income is calculated differently than wages.
Work expenses that can reduce what you earn
Social Security allows you to subtract certain work-related costs from your earnings before they count against your benefit. The most common are impairment-related work expenses (IRWE) — costs you pay because of your disability to be able to work. These might include special equipment, transportation to work that you would not need otherwise, attendant care, or medication required for work.
You can also deduct plan to achieve self-support
Both IRWE and PASS require you to report them to Social Security before you deduct them from your earnings. You cannot straightforward subtract them on your own. Contact your local Social Security office or ask to speak with a work incentives planning and information (WIPA) counselor, who can help you set up these deductions correctly.
The earnings limit changes every year
Social Security adjusts the earnings limit each January based on wage growth in the economy. In 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month. In 2023, it was $1,550. In 2022, it was $1,470. The amount usually increases by a small percentage each year, but not always by the same amount.
Social Security publishes the new limit in December for the year ahead. You can find it on the Social Security website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. If you work, check the current limit at the start of each year so you know what you can earn without losing benefits.
What counts as earnings and what does not
Earnings are money you receive for work you do. This includes wages from a job, self-employment income, bonuses, tips, and commissions. It does not include money you receive without working: savings, investments, gifts, inheritance, tax refunds, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, or other government benefits.
Some types of income are trickier. If you receive a lump sum payment for past work — like back pay or severance — Social Security counts it as earnings in the month you receive it, even if it covers multiple months of work. If you own a business, only your net profit counts, not your gross revenue. If you receive royalties or rental income, those are not counted as earnings from work.
If you are unsure whether something counts, ask Social Security before you receive it. It is easier to plan ahead than to deal with an overpayment later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I earn too much and do not report it?
Social Security will discover the earnings through your tax return or employer records. You will owe back all the benefits you received during months you should not have, plus you may face penalties. It is always better to report earnings honestly and on time.
Can I work part-time and keep some of my SSDI?
Yes, during your trial work period (nine months) and extended period of may be able to access (36 months after that). If you earn below the monthly limit, you keep your full benefit. If you earn above it, your benefit is reduced by $1 for every $2 over the limit during the trial period, and you lose the entire benefit for that month during the extended period.
Do I have to tell Social Security before I start working?
You do not have to ask permission, but you must report your earnings within the month you earn them. Some people contact Social Security before starting work to understand the rules and set up IRWE or PASS if they need them. This is a good idea but not required.
What if I become unable to work again during the extended period?
If you stop working and your condition worsens, you can request that Social Security continue your benefits. You will need medical evidence that your condition has gotten worse. Social Security will review your case, but there is no may provide your benefits will restart.
Does the earnings limit explore to my spouse or family members?
No. The earnings limit only applies to the person receiving SSDI. If your spouse or adult child receives benefits on your record, their earnings are counted separately against their own limit. Family members' earnings do not affect your benefit.