You can work and receive SSDI, but your earnings above a certain threshold will reduce or stop your benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not automatically end when you work. Instead, Social Security uses two separate earnings tests to determine whether you keep your full benefit, a reduced benefit, or no benefit at all. The first test is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is a monthly earnings threshold. The second is the Trial Work Period (TWP), a nine-month window where you can earn any amount without losing benefits. Understanding which test applies to you and when determines whether your paychecks will affect your monthly SSDI payment.

The key to keeping benefits while working is knowing which phase you are in and reporting your earnings on time. Social Security does not automatically know you are working—you must tell them. Failure to report can result in overpayments that you will owe back, even if the overpayment was not your fault.

Key Takeaways

  • You have a nine-month Trial Work Period during which you can earn any amount without losing SSDI benefits, as long as you report your work to Social Security.
  • After your Trial Work Period ends, you lose your benefit for any month in which you earn at or above the monthly SGA limit, which changes each year.
  • The SGA limit for 2024 is $1,550 per month for non-blind workers; if you earn more than this in a month, you receive no benefit that month.
  • You must report all work and earnings to Social Security within 30 days of starting a job or when your earnings change.
  • If you stop working or drop below SGA within 60 months of your benefits stopping, your benefits can restart without a new process through Expedited Reinstatement.

The Trial Work Period: Your nine-month window to work without losing benefits

When you first start working after receiving SSDI, you enter a Trial Work Period (TWP). This is a nine-month period—not necessarily consecutive—during which you can earn any amount and keep your full SSDI benefit. The months do not have to be in a row. Social Security counts only months in which you earn $1,000 or more (this threshold is set by federal law and does not change yearly) as part of your nine months. If you earn $999 in a month, that month does not count toward your nine months, even though you are working.

During your TWP, you must report your work to Social Security. You do this by calling your local Social Security office, visiting your online my Social Security account, or filling out a form called the Report of Earnings. Social Security uses this information to track which months count toward your nine-month window. The reporting requirement exists whether you earn $1,000 or $5,000—all work must be reported within 30 days of starting.

Once you have used all nine months of your Trial Work Period, a different rule takes over. This transition happens automatically—you do not need to do anything—but your benefit calculation changes when ready. You move into the Extended may be able to access Period, where the SGA limit now applies to your earnings.

The Extended may be able to access Period: What happens after your Trial Work Period ends

After your nine Trial Work Period months are finished, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period (EEP), which lasts 36 months. During the EEP, Social Security applies the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) test to your earnings. If you earn less than the SGA limit in a month, you receive your full SSDI benefit that month. If you earn at or above the SGA limit, you receive no benefit that month. This is a month-by-month calculation, not an average across the year.

For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind workers and $2,590 per month for blind workers. These amounts change each year, usually in January. Social Security counts only work earnings toward the SGA limit—not investment income, rental income, or other unearned income. If you work part-time and earn $1,200 one month and $1,600 the next, you would receive your full benefit in the first month and no benefit in the second.

The EEP lasts 36 months from the end of your TWP. During this time, you can have months where you earn above SGA and receive no benefit, and other months where you earn below SGA and receive your full benefit. You remain may be able to access for SSDI during the entire 36-month period, even in months when you earn above SGA and receive no payment.

What happens if you earn above SGA consistently

If you earn at or above the SGA limit for nine months during your Extended may be able to access Period—whether those months are consecutive or not—Social Security will stop your SSDI benefits. This is called a Substantial Gainful Activity information. Once your benefits stop, you enter a period called the Expedited Reinstatement window, which lasts 60 months (five years). This window gives you a safety net if your work situation changes.

During the Expedited Reinstatement window, if you drop below SGA or stop working, you can request that your benefits restart without filing a new SSDI process. You do not have to prove your disability again. However, there is a waiting period: your benefits will not restart until the month after the month in which you dropped below SGA. For example, if you earned above SGA in March but earned below SGA in April, your benefits would restart in May. You must contact Social Security to request reinstatement—they do not restart benefits automatically.

If you do not request reinstatement within the 60-month window, you would have to file a new SSDI process and go through the full approval process again, including medical review.

How to report your work and earnings to Social Security

You must report your work to Social Security within 30 days of starting a job. You can do this in three ways: by calling your local Social Security office, by logging into your my Social Security account online and reporting your work, or by mailing a Report of Earnings form to your local office. The fastest method is usually the online account, where you can enter your employer's name, start date, and expected monthly earnings. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to report by phone.

You should also report any changes to your earnings—if you get a raise, cut your hours, or change jobs. Social Security uses this information to calculate whether you are in your Trial Work Period, Extended may be able to access Period, or past both. If you do not report your work, Social Security may overpay you, and you will owe the money back later, even if the overpayment was not intentional on your part.

Keep records of all pay stubs and earnings statements. If Social Security questions your earnings, you will need to show proof. This is especially important if your earnings are close to the SGA limit or if you are trying to show that you dropped below SGA to restart benefits. Save these documents for at least three years.

Working with a representative who understands work incentives

If you plan to work while receiving SSDI, consider working with a Work Incentive Planning and information (WIPA) project or an Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) counselor. These are free services funded by Social Security. A WIPA counselor can help you understand how your specific earnings will affect your benefits month by month and help you plan your work schedule to maximize your income without losing benefits.

An IRWE counselor can help you identify work-related expenses caused by your disability—such as medication, medical equipment, transportation, or attendant care—that can be deducted from your earnings before Social Security calculates whether you have exceeded SGA. For example, if you earn $1,600 but spend $200 per month on disability-related work expenses, Social Security may count only $1,400 toward the SGA limit. This deduction can keep you below SGA in months when you would otherwise exceed it.

To find a WIPA project or IRWE counselor in your state, visit the Social Security website or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a referral. These services are available to all SSDI beneficiaries who are working or considering work.

What to do if your benefits stop because of work earnings

If your SSDI benefits stop because you earned above SGA for nine months, you have options. First, you can request Expedited Reinstatement if you drop below SGA within 60 months of the month your benefits stopped. To request reinstatement, contact your local Social Security office and explain that your earnings have dropped. You do not need to file a new process. Bring recent pay stubs showing your current earnings to speed up the process.

Second, you may be able to reduce your work hours or earnings to stay below SGA and keep your benefits active. This is a decision only you can make based on your financial needs and your ability to work. A WIPA counselor can help you model different work scenarios and show you what your benefit would be at different earnings levels. Some people choose to work part-time and receive partial SSDI benefits rather than work full-time and receive nothing.

Third, if you have not used your full Expedited Reinstatement window and your circumstances change—for example, your disability worsens and you can no longer work—you can request that benefits restart based on medical evidence of your condition. You would need to submit current medical records showing that your condition has worsened since your benefits stopped.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time and keep my full SSDI benefit?

Yes, during your nine-month Trial Work Period you can work part-time or full-time and keep your full benefit. After that, you can earn up to the monthly SGA limit (currently $1,550 for non-blind workers in 2024) and keep your full benefit. Anything at or above that in a single month means no benefit that month.

Do I have to report my work to Social Security even if I earn very little?

Yes. You must report all work within 30 days of starting, even if you earn less than $1,000 per month. Social Security needs this information to track your Trial Work Period months and to calculate your benefits correctly. Failing to report can result in overpayments you will owe back.

What if I work for a family member or own my own business?

Self-employment and family business income count toward SGA and the Trial Work Period. Social Security counts your net profit (income minus business expenses) as your earnings. You will need to provide tax returns or business records to show your earnings. The rules are the same as for regular employment.

Can I restart my benefits if I stop working after my Extended may be able to access Period ends?

If you stop working within 60 months of the month your benefits stopped, you can request Expedited Reinstatement and your benefits will restart. If more than 60 months have passed, you would need to file a new SSDI process and go through the approval process again, including medical review.

Does my spouse's income affect my SSDI benefit?

No. SSDI is based only on your own work record and earnings. Your spouse's income, savings, or employment does not affect your SSDI benefit amount or whether you receive it. Only your own earnings count toward the SGA limit and Trial Work Period.