How to Keep Working While Receiving SSDI Without Losing Your Benefits

You can work and receive SSDI, but you must report your earnings and follow specific rules or your benefits will stop

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not automatically end when you work. However, Social Security has strict rules about how much you can earn, what counts as work, and when you must report it. If you work without following these rules, your benefits can be suspended or terminated, even if you were initially found disabled. The key is understanding the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit — the monthly earnings threshold that determines whether Social Security considers you to be working — and using the work incentives available to you.

Most people can work part-time or earn below the SGA limit while keeping their full SSDI payment. Some can earn above it temporarily using specific programs. The process starts with contacting your local Social Security office or your Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project before you begin working or increase your hours.

Key Takeaways

• The SGA limit for 2024 is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries; if you earn more, Social Security will review whether you are still disabled and may stop your benefits.
• You must report all work to Social Security within 10 days of starting a job or changing your earnings, even if you think you will stay under the limit.
• WIPA projects and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) programs offer free counseling about work incentives and can help you plan before you start working.
• Trial Work Period allows you to test your ability to work for nine months without losing benefits, regardless of how much you earn during those months.
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources to reach a work goal without affecting your SSDI payment.

Understanding the Substantial Gainful Activity limit and how it affects your benefits

The SGA limit is the amount of monthly earnings Social Security uses to decide whether you are working at a level that means you are no longer disabled. For 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 for blind beneficiaries. These amounts change each year in January. If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month, Social Security will assume you are performing substantial gainful activity and may begin a medical review to determine whether you still meet the definition of disability.

Earning above the SGA limit does not automatically stop your benefits immediately. Instead, it triggers a review. However, if Social Security determines you can do substantial work, your benefits will end. This is why reporting your earnings promptly is critical — it gives you time to understand your options before a decision is made.

The SGA limit applies to net earnings (what you keep after taxes and work expenses), not gross pay. If you are self-employed, you can deduct legitimate business expenses. This distinction matters if you are close to the limit.

Report your work to Social Security within 10 days of starting or changing your job

You must tell Social Security about any work within 10 days of starting a job or changing your earnings. This includes part-time work, self-employment, or any paid activity. You can report by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office in person, or using your online account at ssa.gov if you have created one.

When you report, have ready: the name and address of your employer, your job title, the date you started, your hourly wage or monthly salary, and how many hours per week you work. If you are self-employed, bring records of your business income and expenses. Social Security will use this information to calculate whether you are under the SGA limit and to track your Trial Work Period if you are using one.

Failing to report work is one of the most common reasons SSDI beneficiaries lose benefits unexpectedly. Social Security may discover unreported work through tax records or employer reports, and the consequences can include overpayment demands (money you must repay) in addition to benefit termination.

Use Trial Work Period to test working without risking your benefits

Trial Work Period (TWP) is a nine-month window during which you can earn any amount without Social Security reducing or stopping your SSDI payment. The nine months do not have to be consecutive — they are counted based on months in which you earn $240 or more (this amount does not change annually). Once you use all nine months, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period.

During Extended may be able to access, which lasts 36 months after your TWP ends, you keep your SSDI benefits in any month you earn less than the SGA limit. If you earn the SGA limit or more in a month, you do not receive a payment that month, but your benefits resume the next month if your earnings drop below the limit. This gives you a safety net while you are testing whether you can work consistently.

You do not have to ask permission to use your Trial Work Period — it begins automatically the first month you report earnings of $240 or more. However, you should still report your work within 10 days so Social Security has accurate records of which months count toward your nine-month window.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) for people with work goals

If you have a specific work goal — such as completing a training program, starting a business, or moving into a better-paying job — you can use a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). A PASS allows you to set aside income and resources that would normally reduce your SSDI payment, so you can save money or pursue education without losing benefits.

For example, if your work goal is to become a medical assistant and you need to complete a certification program, you can set aside money from your job or other sources to pay for tuition and materials. That money will not count against your SSDI payment as long as it is documented in your PASS plan. You can also set aside money to buy equipment or tools you need for your work goal.

A PASS must be in writing and approved by Social Security before it takes effect. You work with a PASS planner — often available through your local WIPA project at no cost — to write the plan. The plan must include your work goal, the steps you will take to reach it, a timeline, and how you will use the money you set aside. Once approved, you must follow the plan and report your progress to Social Security every month or quarter, depending on the terms.

Get free counseling from WIPA and PABSS before you start working

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects are funded by Social Security and operate in every state. They offer free, confidential counseling about how work will affect your SSDI benefits, help you understand Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access, and assist you in writing a PASS plan if you have a work goal. WIPA counselors are trained specifically in SSDI work rules and can answer questions Social Security staff may not have time to address.

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) programs also provide free support, with a focus on helping you understand your rights and resolve problems with Social Security. If Social Security makes a decision you disagree with, PABSS can help you appeal.

To find your local WIPA project, visit the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance website or call 1-866-968-7842. You can also call 211 and ask for WIPA in your area. Many WIPA projects offer phone counseling, so you do not have to visit in person.

Understand what counts as work and what does not

Work means any activity for which you receive payment, including wages from an employer, self-employment income, or cash payments for services. It includes part-time work, temporary work, and informal work like babysitting or yard work if you are paid. Unpaid volunteer work does not count as work for SSDI purposes, even if you work many hours.

Work-related expenses you can deduct from your earnings include taxes withheld from your paycheck, Social Security taxes, Medicare taxes, and legitimate business expenses if you are self-employed. You cannot deduct childcare, transportation, or medical costs related to your disability, even though these may be necessary for you to work.

If you receive payment in a form other than money — such as room and board, goods, or services — Social Security counts the value of what you receive as earnings. For example, if your employer provides you with free housing as part of your pay, Social Security counts the fair market value of that housing as part of your monthly earnings.

Know what happens if you earn above the SGA limit

If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month, Social Security will not automatically stop your benefits that month. Instead, they will begin a medical review to determine whether you still meet the definition of disability. This review can take several months. During the review, you continue to receive your SSDI payment.

If Social Security concludes that you can perform substantial gainful activity, your benefits will end. You will receive written notice of this decision and information about how to appeal. If you disagree, you have 60 days to request reconsideration. Many people successfully appeal these decisions, especially if they can show that their work is temporary, that they have limitations that prevent them from working consistently, or that they are using a work incentive program.

If you earn above the SGA limit but believe you should still be considered disabled — for example, because you can only work part-time or because your condition is unpredictable — contact your WIPA project immediately. They can help you prepare for the medical review and explain your situation to Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my Medicare or Medicaid when I start working?

No. Medicare continues for at least 93 months (about 7.5 years) after your Trial Work Period ends, even if your SSDI benefits stop due to work. Medicaid rules vary by state — some states continue Medicaid as long as your earnings stay below a certain threshold, while others offer extended Medicaid coverage for people who lose SSDI due to work. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn what applies to you.

What if I work for a family member or friend?

Work for a family member counts as work and must be reported to Social Security. However, Social Security may question whether the payment is fair market value for the work performed. If you are paid significantly more or less than someone outside the family would be paid for the same work, Social Security may adjust the amount they count as earnings. Be prepared to explain the job duties and justify the pay rate.

Can I work from home or do gig work like driving for a rideshare app?

Yes, but you must report it and track your earnings carefully. Self-employment income (including gig work) counts as earnings. You can deduct legitimate business expenses like vehicle maintenance or app fees, but you must keep records. Many gig workers find it helpful to work with a WIPA counselor to understand how variable monthly income affects the SGA calculation.

What if I cannot work full-time because of my disability?

That is exactly what SSDI is designed for. You can work part-time and stay under the SGA limit while receiving your full benefit. Many people work 10 to 20 hours per week and earn well below the SGA limit. If you want to work more but your disability limits your capacity, discuss this with a WIPA counselor — they may help you explore a PASS plan or other options.

Do I have to tell my employer I receive SSDI?

No. Your SSDI status is confidential, and you are not required to disclose it to your employer. However, if you need workplace accommodations related to your disability, you may need to discuss your condition with your employer or human resources department. You can do this without mentioning SSDI.