Can I Work While Receiving SSD Benefits?

When it comes to SSD benefits, the key factor that determines whether you can work is whether your disability prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA refers to the amount of money you can earn while still being considered disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) and SSD

• For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals.
• If you earn more than this amount, the SSA may consider that you are capable of engaging in substantial gainful activity, which could result in a denial or termination of your SSD benefits.

However, if you earn less than the SGA limit, you may be able to work and still receive SSD benefits. It's important to note that the SSA has certain work incentives that allow you to test your ability to work while receiving SSD benefits.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows SSD beneficiaries to test their ability to work without losing their benefits. During a TWP, you can earn any amount of money without affecting your benefits, as long as you report your earnings to the SSA.

• For 2025, the TWP threshold is $1,050 per month. If you earn more than this amount in a month, it will count as a month in your TWP.
• You are allowed up to 9 trial work months over a 60-month period. Once you've used up your trial work months, the SSA will review your ability to continue working and may stop your benefits if you are earning at or above the SGA level for a continuous period.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

After your trial work period ends, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts for 36 months. During this time, you can continue receiving SSD benefits for any month in which your earnings fall below the SGA limit. If you earn above the SGA threshold during this period, your benefits will be suspended.

How Work Affects Your SSD Benefits

• If you work and earn below the SGA limit: You can continue receiving your SSD benefits.
• If you work and earn above the SGA limit: You may no longer be considered disabled by the SSA, and your benefits may be suspended or terminated.

Can I Work While Receiving SSI Benefits?

Unlike SSD, which is based on your work history and earnings, SSI benefits are needs-based. Your eligibility for SSI is primarily determined by your income and resources.

Income Limits for SSI

For 2025, the maximum SSI payment is $914 per month for an individual and $1,371 for a couple. However, the amount you receive can be reduced if you have other sources of income.

The SSA has specific rules about how income from work impacts your SSI benefits:

• Earned Income: If you work and earn money while receiving SSI, the SSA will count a portion of your earnings toward your eligibility. They don’t count your entire income, however. The first $65 per month of earned income is excluded, and the SSA will then disregard half of the remaining earnings. This means that your SSI benefits will be reduced, but not dollar-for-dollar.
• For example: if you earn $1,000 per month, the SSA would subtract $65 from that amount, leaving $935. Then, half of the remaining $935 ($467.50) is counted as income, reducing your SSI benefit by that amount.

Resource Limits for SSI

To qualify for SSI, you must have limited resources (savings, property, etc.). The SSA allows you to have up to $2,000 in resources ($3,000 for couples). However, certain resources, like your home and one vehicle, are excluded. If your earnings from work cause your total resources to exceed the limit, you may lose your SSI eligibility.

Work Incentives for SSI Recipients

The SSA offers several work incentives that allow you to work without immediately losing your SSI benefits:

• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): This program allows you to set aside income or resources for a work-related goal (such as going to school or starting a business), and the SSA will exclude these from your income and resources calculation.
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): If you have a disability-related work expense (such as medications or assistive devices), these can be deducted from your income when calculating your SSI benefit.

How to Report Work While Receiving SSD or SSI

If you decide to work while receiving SSD or SSI, it’s crucial to report your earnings to the SSA. Failing to report your income accurately can result in overpayments, which you may have to repay, or even a loss of benefits.

• For SSD, you must report your earnings monthly and inform the SSA if you are using your Trial Work Period or entering the Extended Period of Eligibility.
• For SSI, you must report your earnings at the beginning of each month, and notify the SSA of any changes in your income, employment, or living situation.

Can I Work While Receiving Both SSD and SSI?

If you are eligible for both SSD and SSI (concurrent benefits), working can affect both benefits. Your SSD benefits will be primarily affected by the SGA limit, while your SSI benefits will be impacted by your earned income and the SSA’s income calculation rules.

However, the Work Incentives for SSD and SSI recipients, such as the Trial Work Period and Plan to Achieve Self-Support, can help you maintain your benefits while testing your ability to work.