The trial work period lasts nine months

Your trial work period is nine calendar months long. During these nine months, you can work and earn any amount of money without losing your SSDI payment. Social Security counts a month as a trial work month only if you earn more than $940 in that month — the amount changes each year, so check the current figure with Social Security before you start working.

The nine months do not have to be consecutive. If you work three months, stop for six months, then work again, all of those work months count toward your nine-month total. Social Security tracks which months count and tells you how many you have left.

Once you use all nine trial work months, your benefits do not stop when ready. Instead, you enter a different phase called the extended period of may be able to access, which lasts 36 months. During this phase, you keep your benefits in any month you earn less than the current substantial gainful activity amount — in 2024, that is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries, though this figure changes yearly.

Key Takeaways

  • Your trial work period gives you nine months to test working without losing SSDI payments, regardless of how much you earn.
  • A month only counts as a trial work month if you earn more than $940 in that month, so low-earning months do not count against your nine.
  • The nine months do not need to happen in a row — you can spread them out over several years if you choose.
  • After your nine trial work months end, you enter a 36-month extended period where you keep benefits in months you earn below the substantial gainful activity limit.
  • Social Security tracks your trial work months for you, so contact them to find out how many you have used and how many remain.

When your trial work period starts

Your trial work period begins the first month you tell Social Security you are working, or the first month Social Security discovers you are working — whichever comes first. You do not have to wait for permission or approval. The moment you start a job and earn over $940 in a month, that month counts.

If you are already working when you explore for SSDI, Social Security may count some of those work months as part of your trial work period. Report your work history honestly on your process so Social Security can determine which months count.

How to track your trial work months

Social Security keeps the official record of your trial work months. You can check your balance by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office in person.

When you call or visit, have your Social Security number ready and ask specifically how many trial work months you have used and how many remain. Social Security will also tell you the current earnings threshold ($940 in 2024) and the current substantial gainful activity amount for the extended period of may be able to access that follows.

Keep your own records too. Write down the months you work and how much you earn each month. This helps you catch any errors and gives you a backup if Social Security's records are wrong.

What happens after your nine months end

When you finish your ninth trial work month, you move into the extended period of may be able to access. This 36-month period is a safety net: you keep your SSDI payment in any month you earn less than the substantial gainful activity amount. In 2024, that amount is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 for blind beneficiaries, but these figures change each January.

If you earn more than the substantial gainful activity amount in a month during your extended period, you do not receive a payment that month — but you do not lose SSDI entirely. You can still work, and you get paid back in months when your earnings drop below the limit.

After your 36-month extended period ends, the rules change again. At that point, Social Security looks at your average earnings over a longer period to decide whether you can continue receiving benefits. This is called the expedited reinstatement period, and it lasts 24 months. During expedited reinstatement, you can request benefits to restart if your medical condition has not improved and your earnings have dropped.

Why the trial work period matters

The trial work period exists so you can test whether you can work without the fear of losing your benefits when ready. Many people on SSDI worry that any job will end their payments, but the trial work period proves that is not true. You have nine months to see whether work is sustainable for you, whether your condition allows you to keep working, and whether the job fits your life.

This matters because returning to work is hard. Your body or mind may not cooperate the way you hope. Your workplace may not accommodate your needs. The job may pay less than you expected. The trial work period gives you a real chance to find out before you lose your safety net.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not assume a month does not count because you earned just over $940. Social Security counts any month with earnings above $940, even if you earned $941. Plan your work and earnings with this threshold in mind.

Do not forget to report your work to Social Security. Some people think Social Security will find out on its own through tax records, and while that may eventually happen, it is better to report it yourself. Reporting protects you because it starts your trial work period on your terms, not on Social Security's timeline.

Do not assume you understand the extended period of may be able to access rules without checking the current substantial gainful activity amount. This figure changes every January, and working based on an old number can cost you a month of benefits. Call Social Security each year to confirm the current limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my trial work months all at once or do I have to spread them out?

You can use them however you want. Work nine months straight, take a break, or work one month per year for nine years — it is your choice. Only months where you earn over $940 count, so you control the pace.

What if I earn less than $940 in a month — does that month still count?

No. Months where you earn $940 or less do not count as trial work months. You can have as many low-earning months as you want without using up your nine months. This is one reason the trial work period is valuable — you can test part-time work without penalty.

Do I lose my benefits the month after my ninth trial work month ends?

No. After your nine trial work months, you enter the 36-month extended period of may be able to access. You keep your benefits in any month you earn below the substantial gainful activity amount. Only if you earn above that limit do you lose that month's payment.

Can I get my trial work months back if I stop working?

No. Once you use a trial work month, it is gone. However, you still have the extended period of may be able to access and the expedited reinstatement period after that, which offer other protections if you need to stop working.

What if Social Security says I used more trial work months than I think I did?

Ask Social Security to show you the months they counted and the earnings they recorded for each month. If you disagree, provide your own records — pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. Social Security can correct errors if you show proof.