The earnings limit depends on whether you're working or testing your ability to work

Social Security has two different earnings limits for people on SSDI. The first is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is the amount you can earn before Social Security considers you able to work and stops your benefits. The second is the trial work period, which lets you earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits. Which limit applies to you depends on where you are in your work journey.

The SGA limit changes each year. In 2024, it is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 per month for blind beneficiaries. These numbers are set by federal law and do not vary by state. If you earn more than your limit in a month, Social Security will review whether you can still receive benefits that month.

The trial work period is a nine-month window where you can test returning to work without any earnings limit at all. During these nine months, you keep your full SSDI payment no matter how much you earn. This period is designed to let you see whether you can sustain work before Social Security makes a final decision about your benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • You can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without automatically losing SSDI benefits, unless you are blind, in which case the limit is $2,590.
  • During your nine-month trial work period, you can earn any amount and keep your full SSDI payment each month.
  • After the trial work period ends, you enter a 36-month period where you can still work and earn above the SGA limit, but your benefits will stop in months you exceed the limit.
  • The SGA limit increases each January and applies only to work you do yourself—it does not count income from investments, rental property, or other sources.
  • If you stop working and your earnings fall below the SGA limit again, you can restart benefits without reapplying.

How the trial work period works

The trial work period is a nine-month test run that Social Security gives you automatically once you start working. You do not have to ask for it or sign up—it begins the first month you earn $970 or more (in 2024). During these nine months, Social Security counts each month you earn $970 or more as one of your nine trial work months, regardless of how much you actually earn.

The key benefit is that you keep your full SSDI payment every single month during the trial work period, even if you earn $5,000 or $10,000 in a month. This gives you a genuine chance to test whether you can work without the financial risk of losing your benefits when ready. Many people use this period to see whether their condition allows them to work consistently, or to build up savings before their benefits might stop.

Once you have used all nine trial work months, you move into what Social Security calls the extended may be able to access period. This lasts 36 months. During this time, you can still work and earn above the SGA limit, but your benefits will stop in any month you earn more than the limit. You can restart benefits in months you earn less than the limit, without having to reapply.

What counts as earnings and what does not

Social Security counts only income from work you do yourself. This means wages from a job, net profit from self-employment, and royalties from creative work all count toward your earnings limit. Bonuses, commissions, and tips count too. If you own a business, Social Security counts your net profit after business expenses, not your gross revenue.

Social Security does not count income from investments, rental property, interest, dividends, pensions, or other benefits you receive. It also does not count irregular or one-time payments like tax refunds, gifts, or insurance settlements. If you receive workers' compensation or unemployment benefits, those do not count toward your earnings limit either.

If you are self-employed, Social Security looks at your net profit for the month, which is your gross income minus legitimate business expenses. Keep records of all business expenses—rent, supplies, equipment, utilities—because Social Security will ask for them if you report self-employment income.

What happens if you earn above the limit

If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month after your trial work period ends, Social Security will not automatically stop your benefits that month. Instead, they will review your case to determine whether you are still disabled. This review is called a continuing disability review (CDR). The fact that you earned above the limit does not automatically mean you lose benefits—it means Social Security will look more closely at your medical condition and your ability to work.

If Social Security decides you can work and sustain yourself, they will stop your benefits. However, you have a right to request reconsideration and to appeal their decision. If you disagree with their conclusion, you can ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge.

If you earn above the limit for nine or more months during your extended may be able to access period, Social Security will assume you are no longer disabled and will stop your benefits. After that, if you stop working or your earnings drop below the limit again, you can request that benefits restart without filing a new process. This is called expedited reinstatement, and you have 60 months to use it.

The SGA limit changes every year

The SGA limit is adjusted each January to account for changes in the national average wage. In recent years, the limit has increased by $50 to $100 per year. The 2024 limit is $1,550 for non-blind beneficiaries. For 2025 and beyond, the limit will be higher, but the exact amount is set by Social Security in October of the previous year.

You can find the current SGA limit on the Social Security website or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. It is important to know your current limit because exceeding it can trigger a review of your case. If you are working and your earnings are close to the limit, it is worth checking the exact figure each January.

How to report your earnings to Social Security

You are required to report your earnings to Social Security. The way you report depends on whether you receive benefits by direct deposit or by check. If you receive direct deposit, you can report online through your my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by mail. If you receive a check, you must report by phone or mail.

You should report your earnings as soon as you know what they will be for the month. Social Security uses this information to determine whether you are still within your earnings limit and to calculate your benefits if you are in a period where benefits are reduced based on earnings. Reporting late does not change what you owe, but it can delay processing and create confusion about your benefits.

Keep records of your earnings—pay stubs, invoices, or business records—because Social Security may ask to see them. If you are self-employed, keep detailed records of your income and expenses for at least three years.

Planning to return to work while on SSDI

If you are thinking about working, it helps to understand your earnings limit before you start. The trial work period gives you nine months to test work without financial risk, so many people use this time to see whether they can work consistently. During these nine months, you can earn any amount and keep your full payment.

After the trial work period, you have 36 more months where you can work and earn above the limit, but your benefits will stop in months you exceed it. This extended may be able to access period is useful if you need time to build up savings or to see whether your work is sustainable. If you find you cannot work after all, you can stop and restart benefits without reapplying.

Some people find it helpful to work part-time or gradually increase their hours during the trial work period to see how their condition responds. Others use the time to build work history or skills. There is no single right way—the trial work period is designed to give you flexibility to figure out what works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time and still receive SSDI?

Yes. If you earn less than the SGA limit ($1,550 per month in 2024), you can work part-time and keep your full SSDI payment. If you are in your trial work period, you can earn any amount. Many people work part-time while on SSDI, especially during the trial work period or extended may be able to access period.

What if I earn $1,600 one month and $1,400 the next?

Social Security looks at each month separately. In the month you earn $1,600, your benefits may stop or be reviewed. In the month you earn $1,400, you are within the limit and your benefits continue. Once your trial work period ends, you can restart benefits in any month you fall below the limit without reapplying.

Do I lose my Medicare if my benefits stop because I earned too much?

No. If your SSDI benefits stop because you earned above the SGA limit, you can usually keep Medicare for at least 93 months (about 7.5 years) after your trial work period ends. This is called Medicare continuation. You will have to pay the premium yourself, but you keep the coverage.

What if I am self-employed—how do I report my earnings?

Report your net profit (income minus business expenses) each month to Social Security. Keep detailed records of all business income and expenses. If your net profit is below the SGA limit, you can continue self-employment and keep your benefits. If it exceeds the limit, Social Security will review your case.

Can I use my trial work period months all at once or do they have to be consecutive?

Your trial work months do not have to be consecutive. You can use one or two months, stop working, and come back to work later. Each month you earn $970 or more counts as one trial work month, whether or not you worked the month before. You have a rolling 60-month window to use all nine months.