Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be tremendously helpful to people with disabilities facing difficult financial situations. However, for some SSDI recipients, the benefits can’t necessarily cover all their bills, and a limited amount of work can make a big difference—not only financially but also mentally and emotionally.
If you’re one of those people wondering, “Can I work while on Social Security disability?” then you’ll be happy to learn that you can. However, you must follow certain rules, and your earnings must fall under a mandated limit.
This quick guide from Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons offers all you need to know about seeking employment while on disability, and how to ensure you continue to qualify for your SSDI benefits while you do it.
What Are the Rules for Working While on SSDI?
When you receive SSDI benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) assumes you cannot perform what it calls “substantial gainful activity.” If you earn too much, the SSA may decide you can work enough to support yourself and end your benefits. The key to protecting your benefits centers around understanding the following rules:
Substantial Gainful Activity Limit
How much can you make while your application for disability is pending approval in 2025? That amount is determined by the SSA’s Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. If you exceed the current SGA limit, the SSA considers this proof that you can perform meaningful work and no longer qualify for consideration of SSDI benefits.
The SGA in 2025 is $1,620 per month for most people. However, for people who are blind, the limit rises to $2,700 per month. In 2026, the SGA rises to $1,690 for non-blind individuals and $2,830 for blind individuals.
If your monthly income stays below the SGA limit, you can generally pursue an application for SSDI benefits. If you consistently earn more than that amount, the SSA will not consider you eligible to seek benefits. Remember that the SSA only counts earned income toward the SGA limit, not other benefits, investments, or other non-work income.
Trial Work Period
SSA law also allows a person to work after approval for benefits. The Trial Work Period (TWP) lets you test your ability to work for up to nine months while still receiving full SSDI benefits. You can use those nine months within a rolling five-year window. During the TWP, you can earn any amount of income without losing benefits, as long as you report your work. In 2025, the SSA counts any month in which you earn over $1,160 as a trial work month. In 2026, the number rises to $1,210. If your monthly income does not exceed $1,160, you are eligible to receive your full benefit without triggering a trial work period.
Once you complete nine trial months, the SSA reviews your case. If you continue to earn above the SGA limit after this, your SSDI payments may stop.
Extended Period of Eligibility
After your trial work period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this time, you can receive SSDI benefits for any month in which your income falls below the SGA limit.
If you earn more than the SGA amount during some months, but then your income drops again, your benefits can restart automatically without filing a new application. This safety net helps workers handle the ups and downs of determining whether employment on disability is viable for them.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses
The SSA recognizes that some people face extra costs because of their disabilities, and it factors this into determining the SSDI eligibility of working recipients. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs), such as specialized equipment or medical supplies related to your condition, are subtracted from your monthly income, helping you avoid exceeding the SGA limit due to necessary disability-related costs.
For example, suppose you earn $1,700 a month but spend $200 on approved IRWEs. In that case, you can deduct that $200 from your income, keeping you below the SGA limit and maintaining your SSDI benefit eligibility.
Ticket to Work Program
The SSA also offers free support services to SSDI beneficiaries who want to return to the workforce through the Ticket to Work Program. The program connects you with employment networks, seminar events, vocational rehabilitation programs, and job placement services.
Participation in the Ticket to Work Program can also protect your benefits while you explore new job options. As long as you remain active in the program and follow your work plan, the SSA will not schedule a continuing disability review to determine whether you still qualify for benefits.
What to Report If You Work While Receiving Disability
The SSA requires you to report all work activity, even part-time or temporary jobs. You must notify the SSA of:
- The start and end dates of any job
- Changes in your job duties, hours, or pay
- Work-related expenses you plan to deduct as IRWEs
- Any medical or functional changes that affect your ability to work
You can report these changes online through your My Social Security account, by phone, or at your local SSA office. Protect your benefits by keeping copies of your pay stubs, receipts for work-related expenses, correspondence with the SSA, and any other relevant documents.
If You Lose Your Job
If your earnings disqualify you for benefits, but you lose your job or your income drops below the SGA limit after your trial or extended work period, contact the SSA immediately. You may qualify for an expedited reinstatement of your SSDI benefits without filing a new claim.
Special Rules for Workers Who Are Blind
The monthly SGA limit for blind individuals is higher than for other disabilities. In 2025, it’s $2,700 a month, and in 2026, it’s $2,830. Blind workers also do not face the same income thresholds for the trial work period, which offers added protection to benefit eligibility.
How to Stay Within the Limits and Avoid Losing Your SSDI Benefits
If you want to maintain your SSDI benefits while you return to the workforce, be sure to:
- Carefully track your earnings every month
- Report all work activity promptly
- Remember to deduct approved IRWEs
- Understand TWP and EPE timelines
If your income fluctuates or you’re unsure of how to report certain expenses, an experienced attorney can help protect your benefits. Seeking legal guidance can help you understand your rights and SSA rules as you continue to explore the possibility of employment while on disability.
Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons Can Help You Navigate Working While on SSDI
Working while receiving SSDI benefits can not only improve financial stability but also foster a greater sense of purpose and independence. However, it also creates significant challenges. The team at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can guide you through this process and help you overcome any hurdles you may encounter. Contact us today for your free consultation.
This post was originally published in August 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2026.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
