Working While on Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know

Yes, you can work while receiving Social Security Disability—but it depends on how much you earn and which disability program you’re on. The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows limited work activity under both the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. That said, the rules are different depending on the type of benefit you receive. Understanding those distinctions can help you protect your benefits while pursuing part-time or reduced employment.

At The Keener Law Firm, we focus exclusively on helping people across the country apply for and maintain Social Security Disability benefits. If you’re considering working while receiving SSDI or SSI, or if you’re unsure how earnings could affect your case, our experienced disability lawyers can guide you through the process and help avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your payments.

Can You Work While Receiving SSDI?

You can work while receiving SSDI, but only up to a specific monthly earnings limit. The SSA calls this the “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA) threshold. For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for most people and $2,700 per month if you are blind. If you earn more than the SGA limit, the SSA can conclude that you are no longer disabled, and your benefits might stop.

However, the SSA doesn’t cut off your benefits immediately if you try to return to work. Instead, they offer a Trial Work Period—a safety net program that allows you to test your ability to work without immediately losing your benefits.

What Is the Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period (TWP) gives you nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month period where you can earn any amount, even above the SGA limit, without affecting your SSDI benefits. For 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,160 counts as a TWP month.

The TWP program is designed to support you in making a gradual return to work. During the TWP, you receive your full SSDI benefit check regardless of how much you earn. It gives you a chance to attempt to go back to work without financial pressure or fear of losing your benefits too soon.

Once you’ve used all nine TWP months, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, you’ll still receive SSDI in any month your earnings are below the SGA level. If your earnings rise above that amount, you won’t receive benefits for that month but your claim remains open, and benefits resume if your income drops again.

This is an area where The Keener Law Firm provides special value. Our team has helped countless clients return to part-time work without making mistakes that could trigger an unwanted benefits suspension. We know how the SSA monitors earnings and how to document your work activity properly to protect your rights.

What Happens If You Exceed the SGA Limit After the Trial Work Period?

If you earn more than the SGA limit during the Extended Period of Eligibility, your SSDI benefits can be suspended. After the 36-month window closes, your benefits will terminate if your earnings consistently exceed the SGA amount.

However, there’s another safety measure called Expedited Reinstatement. If your disability forces you to stop working again within five years, you can ask SSA to restart your benefits without filing a brand-new application. While SSA reviews your request, they may pay provisional benefits for up to six months.

Can You Work While Receiving SSI?

SSI recipients also can work, but the income rules are stricter than those for SSDI. SSI is a needs-based program, so your monthly benefit amount decreases as your income increases. But earning some money won’t automatically disqualify you from receiving SSI.

The SSA doesn’t count the first $20 of total income and the first $65 of earned income each month. After that, they reduce your SSI benefit by 50 cents for every dollar you earn from work. For example, if you earn $885 in a month:

• SSA excludes the first $85 ($20 + $65)
• That leaves $800 in countable income
• SSA subtracts $400 from your SSI benefit (half of $800)

If your countable income causes your monthly SSI payment to fall to $0, your eligibility ends. But if your income later drops, you can usually restart SSI benefits more easily than reapplying from scratch.

How Do Work Incentives Help SSI Recipients?

The SSA has designed several work incentives for SSI recipients to encourage employment. One example is the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE), which allows qualifying students under age 22 to exclude up to $2,290 per month of earned income (up to a maximum of $9,230 per year) from their SSI calculation.

Another example is Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs). If you pay for certain disability-related costs, like specialized transportation or disability-assistive devices, the SSA will deduct those amounts from your earnings when determining your eligibility.

At The Keener Law Firm, we always help clients identify and use every tool available to stay within the rules while improving their financial stability. Our team understands both the technical details and the practical steps you need to take to protect your right to benefits.

Does the SSA Need to Know If You Start Working?

Yes. Whether you’re receiving SSDI or SSI, you’re required to report your work activity to the SSA right away. Failing to report your income can lead to overpayments, which the SSA will demand you repay. It can also cause your benefits to be suspended or even for formal charges of fraud if the government determines you knowingly withheld information.

The SSA allows you to report your wages online, by phone, or in writing. If you’re receiving SSI, you can also use the SSA’s wage reporting app. You are also required to notify the SSA of any changes to your hours, job duties, or expenses related to your disability.

Should You Talk to a Disability Lawyer Before Returning to Work?

Absolutely. While it’s possible to work while receiving disability, the SSA’s rules can be confusing, and one mistake can cost you months of benefits. Whether you’re considering a part-time job, self-employment, or returning to full-time work, it’s smart to speak with a qualified disability attorney before making any move.

The Keener Law Firm has helped thousands of people across the United States manage the risks of working while on disability. Our experienced disability lawyers can evaluate your situation, walk you through the earnings limits, and help you use the SSA’s work incentives to your advantage.

You Can Work While on Disability—But You Need to Know the Limits

The SSA does allow you to work while receiving disability benefits, but you must stay within specific income and reporting requirements. With SSDI, the focus is on whether you exceed the monthly SGA limit. With SSI, your monthly benefit is reduced based on how much you earn. Either way, there are rules—and also protections—that can help you earn income without losing the benefits you depend on.

If you’re receiving Social Security Disability and thinking about working again, The Keener Law Firm is here to help you make the right decisions. We’ll help you understand your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and stay on the path to financial stability.