Often, those who receive disability benefits like SSDI wonder if they can work and earn any income while receiving those benefits. That’s an understandable question. The good news is that the Social Security Administration does offer certain incentives for disabled individuals who want to attempt to return to some sort of work.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the incentives offered, the “rules” for participating in those incentives, and how much you may be able to earn.
What Work Incentives Are Available?
The Social Security Administration offers various incentives for those interested in returning to work while receiving SSDI benefits. Two of the most popular are the trial work period and the Ticket to Work program.
The Trial Work Period
One incentive offered to those who attempt to return to work is the “trial work period.” This incentive allows those interested in returning to work to attempt to work for at least nine months. The nine months don’t have to be consecutive – just cumulative within a 60-month period.
During those nine months, as long as the working individual reports the work and continues to have a disability, the income earned during the trial time will not affect the amount of disability benefits received. In 2024, the Social Security Administration considered a “trial work month” any month during which total earnings were more than $1,110. For a self-employed individual, a trial work month is any month in which earnings were more than $1,110 (after business expenses), or the individual worked more than 80 hours per month at their own business.
After the trial work period ends, a disabled individual typically has 36 more months during which he or she can work and still receive benefits for any month that the earnings aren’t “substantial.” During that period, no new application or decision from the Social Security Administration is needed for benefits to continue.
Ticket to Work
Another incentive the Social Security Administration offers is the “Ticket to Work” program. This program provides disabled individuals assistance with the following:
- Searching for potential jobs
- Job training and vocational rehabilitation
- Benefit payments that will continue, at least for a time, while working
- No medical reviews while participating
- Various other employment support services.
Those who want to learn more about Ticket to Work can visit www.choosework.ssa.gov or phone the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842.
How Much Can I Earn?
This is an important and understandable question because there are limits to how much you can earn while still receiving SSDI benefits. This limit is known as the “substantial gainful activity” limit. It is established by the Social Security Administration, and it is often adjusted from year to year to account for changes in the cost of living. After your “trial work period” has ended, your income must remain within the SGA limit to continue receiving SSDI benefits. In 2024, the SGA is $1550 for a disabled individual who is not blind and $2590 for a blind individual.
What Else Should I Know?
In addition to understanding the incentives offered to return to work and how much you can earn, it’s also important to follow other rules set forth by the Social Security Administration. These include reporting any work or income earned to the Social Security Administration.
Generally, you should inform the Social Security Administration if any of the following occur:
- You start or stop working
- You have reported your work, but your hours, duties, or rate of pay have changed
- You have to begin paying expenses for work because of your disability (these expenses may be counted against earned income, depending upon the situation).
You can report these changes by phone, email, mail, or in person. To find your local Social Security office, you can check the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov/locator. Additionally, you may wish to create a Social Security account to report any monthly wages online at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Certainly, if you have returned to work or are considering a return to work, it is always wise to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who can give you advice regarding your particular circumstances. At Liner Legal, we’re here for you.
Liner Legal – Your Disability Benefits Attorneys
At Liner Legal, we understand that disability benefits can be an essential source of financial stability for those who struggle with a disabling condition. We know you want to protect and preserve your benefits – and fully assert your rights under the law. We’re here to help you do exactly that. We know and understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf. We’re always here for you if you need us. Give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
