If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may wonder whether you can work part-time without jeopardizing your benefits. The good news is that you can work while collecting SSDI, but there are important rules and limits you need to be aware of to avoid losing your benefits.
Working While Receiving SSDI: The Rules and Limits
SSDI is a program designed for people who have worked in the past and paid into Social Security but are now disabled and unable to work full-time. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that some people may be able to return to work on a limited basis while still living with a disability. As a result, SSDI beneficiaries can work part-time without automatically losing their benefits—but there are strict guidelines.
The SSA allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work through a Trial Work Period (TWP). During this period, you can work as much as possible without losing your SSDI benefits as long as you continue to report your earnings to the SSA. For 2024, any month earning more than $1,110 gross is considered a trial work month (this amount is updated yearly). You can have up to 9 trial work months within a 60-month time frame. The 9 months do not have to be consecutive.
Once you’ve used your 9 TWP months, the SSA will assess whether you can continue working regularly. If you can work consistently and your earnings exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, you may lose your SSDI benefits. For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 monthly before any withholdings for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If your monthly earnings exceed these amounts, you may be considered able to engage in substantial work, and your SSDI payments could stop. The SSA Red Book is the best source for information about working while disabled. It is available on their website at https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/whatsnew.htm
Besides the strict financial limits involved, the type of part-time work you do can affect your eligibility for benefits. If the part-time work requires heavy lifting and physical exertion, the type of work may lead Social Security to determine that you are no longer disabled. For example: If your part time work requires you to climb ladders, carry 50 pounds of shingles and stand on a roof for eight-hour shifts, the amount of earnings may not make as much difference as the “activity.”
Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Are Here to Help
If you’re considering returning to work while receiving SSDI, it’s essential to consult with a disability attorney. An attorney will help you understand the SSA’s rules to maximize your benefits while transitioning back into the workforce.
At Grimes Teich Anderson, our Social Security disability lawyers regularly assist individuals in navigating the complex process of securing disability benefits. If you have any questions about working while receiving SSDI, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for guidance and support tailored to your unique situation.
Contact us today by submitting a form online or calling our office at 800-533-6845 for a free legal consultation.