What You Can Earn During Trial Work Period

During your Trial Work Period (TWP), you can earn any amount of money without losing your SSDI benefits. There is no earnings limit — you could make $500 a month or $5,000 a month, and your benefits continue in full. The only requirement is that you report your earnings to Social Security.

This is the core difference between the Trial Work Period and the Extended may be able to access Period that follows it. The TWP is designed to let you test your ability to work without financial penalty. Social Security counts a month as a "work month" if you earn $970 or more in that month (this threshold changes each year, so the actual amount may differ). You get nine work months within a rolling 60-month window — after you use all nine, the Extended may be able to access Period begins, and earnings limits explore.

The amount you earn does not reduce your check. You receive your full SSDI payment regardless of how much you make during the TWP.

Key Takeaways

  • You can earn any amount during Trial Work Period without losing your SSDI benefit payment.
  • Social Security counts a month as a work month only if you earn $970 or more that month; lower earnings do not count against your nine-month limit.
  • You must report all earnings to Social Security, even though they do not reduce your benefit.
  • After you use all nine work months, the Extended may be able to access Period begins, and then earnings above a monthly limit will reduce your benefits.
  • The $970 threshold is adjusted each year, so the exact amount changes annually.

How Social Security Counts Your Earnings

Social Security looks at your gross earnings — the money you make before taxes, not what you take home. If you are self-employed, they count your net profit (income minus business expenses). They do not count irregular payments like bonuses or one-time gifts.

A work month is any month in which you earn $970 or more. If you earn $969, that month does not count. If you earn $1,500, it still counts as one work month — there is no "extra credit" for earning more. The goal is straightforward to track whether you are working at a substantial level, not to measure how much you make.

You have 60 months (five years) to accumulate your nine work months. They do not have to be consecutive. You could work three months, take a break, work two more months, take another break, and so on. As long as you use nine work months within that rolling 60-month window, you remain in the Trial Work Period.

Reporting Your Earnings to Social Security

You are required to report your earnings each month, even though they do not affect your benefit amount during the TWP. You can report by phone, mail, or online through your Social Security account. Many people use the phone line: call 1-800-772-1213 and tell them your gross earnings for the month.

Report your earnings by the 15th of the month following the month you earned them. If you earned money in January, report it by February 15th. Late reporting can cause confusion and may delay your transition to the Extended may be able to access Period, so staying on schedule matters.

Keep records of your pay stubs or business records. Social Security may ask you to verify what you reported, and having documentation ready prevents delays.

What Happens After Your Nine Work Months End

Once you have used all nine work months, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period, which lasts 36 months. During this time, your benefits are suspended in any month you earn above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries; it changes each year.

If you earn $1,550 or less in a month during Extended may be able to access, you receive your full benefit. If you earn more than $1,550, your benefit is suspended that month. You do not lose the benefit permanently — it returns the next month if your earnings drop back below the limit.

After the 36-month Extended may be able to access Period ends, you enter the Expedited Reinstatement period. If you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA within five years, you can request reinstatement of your benefits without filing a new process.

Why the Trial Work Period Matters

The Trial Work Period exists because Social Security recognizes that returning to work is uncertain. You may not know whether you can sustain employment, manage your condition while working, or handle the stress of a job. The TWP gives you nine months to find out, with your benefits as a safety net.

This period is valuable if you are considering part-time work, a new job after a long absence, or testing whether self-employment is feasible. You can earn money, build work history, and prove to yourself and an employer that you can perform the job — all while keeping your SSDI payment.

Many people use the TWP to transition gradually. They might work part-time for a few months, then increase hours, then try full-time work. Each month of earnings is tracked, but the benefit continues regardless.

Common Mistakes During Trial Work Period

The most common mistake is not reporting earnings at all. Some beneficiaries assume that because earnings do not reduce the benefit, they do not need to report them. This is wrong. Failure to report can trigger an overpayment investigation, and Social Security may demand repayment of benefits you received while working unreported.

Another mistake is misunderstanding what counts as a work month. Earning $500 one month and $600 the next does not count as two work months — neither month meets the $970 threshold. Only months with $970 or more count. This means you could work for several months and still have zero work months counted if your earnings stay below the threshold.

A third mistake is losing track of how many work months you have used. Social Security tracks this, but you should also keep your own record. Once you have used nine work months, the rules change. If you do not know where you stand, you may be surprised when your benefits are suspended during Extended may be able to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn money without reporting it during Trial Work Period?

No. You must report all earnings to Social Security each month, even though they do not reduce your benefit. Unreported earnings can trigger an overpayment case and demand for repayment. Social Security may also discover unreported work through tax records or employer reports.

Does self-employment income count the same way as wages?

Yes, but Social Security counts your net profit, not gross revenue. If you earn $2,000 in self-employment income but spend $500 on business expenses, your countable earnings are $1,500. You still report this monthly, and months with $970 or more in net profit count as work months.

What if I earn $970 in one month and nothing for five months — do I still have eight work months left?

Yes. That one month counts as a work month because you earned $970 or more. You have eight work months remaining in your 60-month window. The months with zero or low earnings do not count against your limit.

Can I go back to the Trial Work Period if I stop working?

No. Once you use all nine work months and enter Extended may be able to access, you cannot return to the Trial Work Period. However, if you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA within five years of Extended may be able to access ending, you can request Expedited Reinstatement without filing a new SSDI process.

Does the $970 amount change every year?

Yes. Social Security adjusts the work month threshold annually based on wage growth. The amount was $970 in 2024, but it may be higher in 2025 and beyond. Check your Social Security statement or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the current threshold.