Yes, you can work on SSDI, but there are strict limits on how much you can earn

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not automatically stop when you work. Instead, Social Security uses two separate earnings thresholds to decide whether your benefits continue, reduce, or pause. The first threshold is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month, Social Security may decide you are no longer disabled and stop your benefits entirely. The second threshold is called the Trial Work Period (TWP), which gives you nine months to test your ability to work without losing benefits.

The SGA limit changes every year. In 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. These numbers are based on federal minimum wage and national wage trends, so they shift annually. If you earn less than these amounts, you keep your full SSDI payment. If you earn more, Social Security will review your case to determine if you can still be considered disabled.

Key Takeaways

  • You can work and receive SSDI at the same time, but earnings above the SGA limit may trigger a review of your disability status.
  • The Trial Work Period lets you earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits, as long as you report your work to Social Security.
  • After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period, during which you can still receive benefits in months when you earn below the SGA limit.
  • You must report all work and earnings to Social Security within the month they occur, or you risk overpayment and having to repay benefits.
  • Work incentives like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you keep more of your earnings.

The Trial Work Period: Nine months to test working

When you first start working on SSDI, you enter a Trial Work Period that lasts nine months. During these nine months, you can earn any amount—there is no upper limit—and you will not lose your SSDI benefits. The only requirement is that you report your work to Social Security each month. A month counts toward your nine-month period if you earn $240 or more (in 2024) and perform work activity for at least 15 days in that month.

The nine months do not have to be consecutive. If you work for three months, stop for two months, then work again, the clock picks up where it left off. This flexibility lets you test whether you can sustain work without the pressure of an when ready benefits cut. Many people use this period to see if their condition allows them to work full-time, part-time, or at all.

Once your nine Trial Work Period months are used up, you move into the Extended may be able to access Period, which lasts 36 months. During these 36 months, you can still receive SSDI in any month your earnings fall below the SGA limit. If you earn above the SGA limit in a given month, you do not receive a payment that month, but your benefits do not stop permanently. You keep your health insurance (Medicare or Medicaid, depending on your state) throughout this entire period.

What happens after Extended may be able to access ends

After your 36-month Extended may be able to access Period ends, Social Security will review your case. If you are still working and earning above the SGA limit, Social Security will likely decide that you are no longer disabled and will terminate your benefits. However, you have a safety net called the Expedited Reinstatement period, which lasts 60 months. If you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA within those five years, you can request that your benefits restart without having to file a new process or go through the medical review process again.

This safety net exists because returning to work is risky. If your condition worsens and you cannot work anymore, you do not have to prove your disability all over again—you can straightforward ask Social Security to turn your benefits back on. You will need to show that you stopped working or that your earnings fell below SGA, but you do not need new medical evidence if you restart within the 60-month window.

Reporting your work and earnings to Social Security

You are required to report all work and earnings to Social Security within the month they occur. This means if you work in January, you must report it by the end of January or early February. You can report work by phone, mail, or online through your Social Security account. Failing to report work is one of the most common reasons people end up owing Social Security money back.

When you report, tell Social Security the month you started working, your job title, the name and phone number of your employer, how many hours you work per week, and how much you earn per month. If your job or earnings change, report the change within the same month. 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, and whether your benefits should continue, reduce, or stop.

If you do not report work and Social Security discovers it later—through a tax return, a wage report from your employer, or a routine check—you will owe back the benefits you received while working above the SGA limit. This debt can be large and is difficult to dispute once Social Security has the documentation.

Work incentives that let you keep more earnings

Social Security offers several work incentives designed to help you keep more of your earnings while on SSDI. The most common is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE). IRWE lets you deduct certain costs directly related to your disability from your earnings before Social Security calculates whether you have exceeded the SGA limit. For example, if you need a personal assistant to help you get to work, the cost of that assistant can be deducted. If you need special equipment or medication related to your disability, those costs may also may have access to.

Another work incentive is Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). A PASS is a written plan you create with a Social Security representative that describes a specific work goal—such as getting a degree, starting a business, or learning a trade—and the steps and costs involved in reaching that goal. While you are following your PASS, you can set aside income and resources without it affecting your SSDI benefits. This lets you save money for education or business startup costs without losing benefits.

A third option is the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE), which applies only if you are under age 22 and a student. SEIE lets you exclude up to $2,170 per month (in 2024) in earnings from the SGA calculation, up to a yearly maximum of $8,680. This means you can earn more than the standard SGA limit and still keep your benefits.

To use any of these work incentives, you must request them from Social Security and provide documentation. IRWE requires receipts or invoices for the expenses. PASS requires a detailed written plan. SEIE requires proof of student status. Work incentives are not automatic—you have to ask for them and provide the supporting information.

How work affects your Medicare or Medicaid coverage

One reason people stay on SSDI even when they could work is fear of losing health insurance. The good news is that your health coverage does not stop when ready when your benefits do. If you are on Medicare (which most SSDI recipients are after two years of benefits), you can continue Medicare for at least 93 months after your benefits end, as long as you pay the premiums. This is called Medicare Continuation.

If you are on Medicaid (which varies by state), your coverage usually continues through the Extended may be able to access Period and sometimes beyond, depending on your state's rules. Some states have special Medicaid work incentives that let you keep Medicaid even after your SSDI stops. Contact your state Medicaid office or ask your Social Security representative what applies in your state.

Common mistakes to avoid when working on SSDI

The most common mistake is not reporting work at all. People sometimes think that if they earn below the SGA limit, they do not need to report it. This is wrong. You must report all work, regardless of how much you earn. Social Security needs the information to track your Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period.

Another mistake is misunderstanding the SGA limit. The limit applies to your earnings, not your hours worked. You could work 40 hours per week and still be below SGA if your hourly wage is low. Conversely, you could work 10 hours per week and exceed SGA if your hourly wage is high. Do not assume that part-time work automatically keeps you under the limit.

A third mistake is not using work incentives when they could help. Many people do not know about IRWE, PASS, or SEIE, so they lose benefits or earnings they could have kept. If you have work-related expenses tied to your disability, ask Social Security about IRWE. If you have a specific work goal, ask about PASS. If you are a student under 22, ask about SEIE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I earn money from self-employment or a side gig?

Self-employment and side gigs count as work and must be reported. Social Security counts your net profit (income minus business expenses) toward the SGA limit. If you run a business, keep detailed records of income and expenses, and report them monthly. Self-employment can be more complex than regular employment, so consider asking a Social Security representative for help calculating your net earnings.

Can I work part-time and still get SSDI?

Yes, as long as your monthly earnings stay below the SGA limit. Many people work part-time on SSDI. The key is reporting your work each month and tracking whether you are in your Trial Work Period, Extended may be able to access Period, or past both. Part-time work that pays below SGA can continue indefinitely without affecting your benefits.

What happens if I earn above SGA for one month?

If you earn above SGA in a single month, you do not receive a benefit payment for that month, but your benefits do not stop. As long as you are still in your Trial Work Period or Extended may be able to access Period, your benefits continue in months when you earn below SGA. If you are past both periods, earning above SGA may trigger a review of your disability status.

Do I have to tell my employer I am on SSDI?

No, you do not have to tell your employer. SSDI is between you and Social Security. However, some employers offer benefits or accommodations for employees with disabilities, so you may choose to disclose your disability if it helps you get the support you need at work. That decision is yours alone.

Can I go back on SSDI if I stop working?

Yes, if you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA within 60 months of your benefits ending, you can request Expedited Reinstatement. You do not need to file a new process or provide new medical evidence. You only need to show that you are no longer working above the SGA limit. If you are past the 60-month window, you would need to file a new SSDI process.