What counts as work income during your trial work period
During your Trial Work Period, Social Security counts almost any money you earn from work toward your nine-month limit. This includes wages from a job, net earnings from self-employment, and royalties. The key word is "earned"—money has to come from work you do, not from savings, investments, or other sources.
Social Security measures your work income month by month. A month counts toward your nine-month Trial Work Period only if you earn $200 or more in that month. If you earn less than $200 in a given month, that month does not count, but the income still gets reported to Social Security.
The $200 threshold is set by federal law and does not change year to year. It applies whether you work full-time, part-time, or are self-employed. Once you have used nine months where you earned $200 or more, your Trial Work Period ends, and different rules take over.
Key Takeaways
- A month counts toward your nine-month Trial Work Period only if you earn $200 or more that month from work.
- Social Security counts wages, self-employment income, and royalties, but not investment income, savings, or gifts.
- The $200 monthly threshold is fixed and applies to all beneficiaries regardless of how many hours you work.
- Months where you earn under $200 do not count toward your nine months, but you still report the income to Social Security.
- After your nine Trial Work Period months end, the Extended may be able to access Period begins, with different income rules in place.
How to count your nine months correctly
Your nine months do not have to be consecutive. You can earn $200 or more in January, skip February and March, then earn $200 or more again in April—and both January and April count. Social Security tracks which months crossed the $200 line and stops your benefits after the ninth one.
The months are calendar months, not rolling 30-day periods. If you earn $200 on January 31st, that entire month counts. If you earn $199 in February, that month does not count toward your nine, even though you were close.
You do not have to tell Social Security when you think your ninth month has arrived. Social Security counts the months based on the income reports you submit. Once nine months have passed, your Trial Work Period automatically ends and you move into the Extended may be able to access Period.
What happens to your benefits while you are working
During your Trial Work Period, you keep your full SSDI benefit check every month, regardless of how much you earn. This is the main reason the Trial Work Period exists—it lets you test your ability to work without losing your income right away.
After your nine Trial Work Period months end, the rules change. You then enter the Extended may be able to access Period, which lasts 36 months. During those 36 months, you lose your benefit check only in months when you earn $1,470 or more (the 2019 amount; this threshold changes yearly). Months where you earn less than that amount, you get your full check.
Keep in mind that these are SSDI rules only. If you also receive Medicare or Medicaid because of your disability, those programs have their own income limits and rules that may differ.
Self-employment income and how it is counted
If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net earnings—what you make after business expenses. You do not report gross revenue. If you run a small business and bring in $5,000 but spend $4,900 on supplies and overhead, your net earnings are $100, which does not reach the $200 threshold for that month.
Self-employment income is trickier to track month by month because your earnings may not follow a calendar pattern. You will need to keep records of income and expenses for each month and report them to Social Security. If your business is seasonal or uneven, some months may fall below $200 while others exceed it significantly.
Social Security may ask to see tax returns, business records, or profit-and-loss statements to verify your self-employment income. Having these documents organized and ready makes the reporting process smoother.
Reporting your income to Social Security
You are responsible for telling Social Security about your work income. You can report it by phone, mail, or online through your my Social Security account. Social Security will ask you how much you earned each month and what type of work you did.
Report your income as soon as you can after each month ends. Waiting until the end of your Trial Work Period to report everything at once can cause delays and confusion. Monthly reporting also helps you and Social Security track your nine months accurately as you go.
If you do not report income that Social Security later discovers, you may owe back benefits. Social Security can recover overpayments from future checks or work out a repayment plan with you. Reporting on time prevents this problem.
Income that does not count toward the $200 threshold
Social Security does not count certain types of income toward your Trial Work Period. Gifts, inheritances, investment income, rental income, and money from savings do not count. Unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, and other government benefits also do not count as work income.
Bonuses and commissions count as work income in the month you receive them, even if you earned them in a previous month. Vacation pay and sick pay count as work income in the month you receive the check. If your employer pays you in a lump sum for multiple months of work, Social Security counts it all in the month you received it.
The distinction matters because Social Security is testing whether you can work, not whether you have money. Income from sources other than your own work effort does not show that you have returned to work.
What to do if you think Social Security made a mistake
If you believe Social Security counted a month incorrectly or miscalculated your nine months, you can contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. Have your records of earnings ready, including pay stubs or business records for the months in question.
You can also request a detailed statement of your Trial Work Period from Social Security. This statement shows which months they counted and which they did not, along with the income amount for each month. Reviewing this statement against your own records is the fastest way to spot errors.
If you disagree with Social Security's decision about your Trial Work Period, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process starts with a reconsideration request, which you can file at your local Social Security office or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to work full-time to use my Trial Work Period?
No. You can work part-time, full-time, or any schedule in between. The only requirement is that you earn $200 or more in a month for that month to count. A month where you earn $200 counts the same whether you worked 10 hours or 40 hours.
Can I use my Trial Work Period months all at once or do they have to be spread out?
Your nine months do not have to be consecutive. You can earn $200 or more in nine separate months across any time period. Some people use all nine months in a single year; others spread them over two or three years.
What happens if I earn exactly $200 in a month?
A month counts toward your nine if you earn $200 or more. Earning exactly $200 means that month counts. If you earn $199.99, that month does not count.
If I go back to work after my Trial Work Period ends, do I lose my benefits when ready?
No. After your nine Trial Work Period months, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period for 36 months. During those 36 months, you only lose your check in months where you earn $1,470 or more (2019 amount). Months below that threshold, you keep your full benefit.
Do I need to report income if I earned less than $200 in a month?
Yes. Even though a month under $200 does not count toward your nine, you still report the income to Social Security. Reporting all income, regardless of amount, keeps your record accurate and prevents problems later.