Working While Disabled — Social Security Can Help
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 15, 2021
For millions of people, work isn’t just a source of income. It’s a vital part of who they are – it gives them purpose and pride. It’s a connection to community. We’re here to help you get back to work if you’re disabled.
If you’re getting Social Security disability benefits, we have good news for you. Social Security’s work incentives and Ticket to Work programs can help you if you’re interested in working. Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work – and still receive monthly payments.
The Ticket to Work program may help you if you’d like to work. You can receive:
- Free vocational rehabilitation.
- Training.
- Job referrals.
- Other employment support.
You can read more about working while receiving disability benefits on our Ticket to Work Program page.
Work incentives include:
- Continued cash benefits for a time while you work.
- Continued Medicare or Medicaid while you work.
- Help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work.
If you’re receiving Social Security disability benefits or SSI, let us know right away when you start or stop working. This is also important if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits.
If you returned to work, but you can’t continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can start again. Plus, you may not have to file a new application.
You can learn more about the Ticket to Work program by reading our publication, Working While Disabled: How We Can Help.
Part of securing today and tomorrow is giving you the tools to create a fulfilling life. Getting back to work might be part of that. We’re here with a ticket to a secure tomorrow.
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Tags: Disability, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security benefits, social security disability benefits, SSI
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Drew C.
I presently receive Social Security Disability $760 a month my medical condition at this time has gotten very serious I am totally disabled and cannot stand for two seconds or walk I’ve had invitations I have heart stents and I have uncontrollable diabetes I don’t have enough money to get an apartment or a place to live it’s just not enough and now I’m not able to work or do anything can you help me please
Roger G.
I have been trying to reach someone to help change my employer during my trial work period. I have been on the phone twice over 1 hour. Can you provide a direct number or secure web site so I can make the changes in my employment for the trail work program.
A.C.
Hi, Roger. We’re sorry that you had difficulty reaching someone by phone. We may have been experiencing higher than normal call volume. Our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), has representatives available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. If you still need assistance, you can click “Get Help” in your personal my Social Security account to “Ask a Question”. Click “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. We hope this helps.
Jacqueline M.
Hi, I started work and wondering who I send my paystubs?
A.C.
Thanks for your question! If you are receiving Supplemental Security (SSI), our SSI Mobile Wage Reporting app allows you to report wages from an Android or Apple smartphone. For more information on how to report your wages from your cell phone and other reporting options, visit our SSI Telephone Wage Reporting System web page. We hope this helps.
Melanie S.
I’m currently on SSDI and I have exhausted my ticket to work program. If I go back to work part time how much money can I make and still keep my benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Melanie. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Calvin H.
I’m on social security disability. I started a part time job in January. I needed the job to help pay rent and bills. Will I still receive my disability check and Medicare monthly? If so, how many hours will I be able to work each month? I am paid $8.50 hourly. I went through the Louisiana Works. They helped me find this job. I need to keep receiving my SSI and work to pay all my bills.
A.C.
Hi, Calvin. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
James S.
I receive 627.00 in disability benefits.
How much can I earn without effecting my benefits.
V.V.
Thank you for your question, James. Social Security has special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. These are called work incentives.
For SSDI beneficiaries, there is a Trial Work Period (TWP) and then an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this period, you will receive your full disability benefit regardless of how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2019, any month in which earnings exceed $880 is considered a month of the 9-month trial work period.
Once you’ve completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the EPE. During the EPE, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment. Social Security will suspend cash benefits for months earnings are over SGA and start benefits again if earnings fall below the SGA level. In 2019, you are earning SGA if your earnings, after any allowable deductions, are more than $1,220 in a month.
Check out Social Security’s Red Book for descriptions of the many work incentives.
Patrick R.
I’m needing some information about working while I’m on disability, what are the stipulations. Like willl I still receive my social security benefits, how much money can I make..etc…
Please contact me ASAP,
V.V.
Hi Patrick. Thank you for your question. Social Security has special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. These are called work incentives.
For SSDI beneficiaries, there is a Trial Work Period (TWP) and then an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this period, you will receive your full disability benefit regardless of how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2019, any month in which earnings exceed $880 is considered a month of the 9-month trial work period.
Once you’ve completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the EPE. During the EPE, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment. Social Security will suspend cash benefits for months earnings are over SGA and start benefits again if earnings fall below the SGA level. In 2019, you are earning SGA if your earnings, after any allowable deductions, are more than $1,220 in a month.
Check out Social Security’s Red Book for descriptions of the many work incentives.
Matthew J.
We have a questions about our situation. The wife is on disability. The couple is planning on setting up an LLC where they would be 50/50 partners. The husband works in the LLC, pays self employment taxes on his earnings and runs the business. The wife is just an investor and does not work in the business at all, but half of the income would be hers.
Would that cause an issue with her disability income?
V.V.
Hi Matthew, thank you for your question. Social Security has special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. These are called work incentives.
For SSDI beneficiaries, there is a Trial Work Period (TWP) and then an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this period, you will receive your full disability benefit regardless of how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2019, any month in which earnings exceed $880 is considered a month of the 9-month trial work period.
Once you’ve completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the EPE. During the EPE, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment. Social Security will suspend cash benefits for months earnings are over SGA and start benefits again if earnings fall below the SGA level. In 2019, you are earning SGA if your earnings, after any allowable deductions, are more than $1,220 in a month.
Check out Social Security’s Red Book for descriptions of the many work incentives.
Your wife needs to report her employment and self-employment earnings by visiting, calling, or writing her local Social Security Office.
Robert C.
can i work while getting disability please give a detailed answer website sometimes vague $1220 or under according to website is this correct?
V.V.
Hi Robert, thank you for your question. Social Security has special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. These are called work incentives.
For SSDI beneficiaries, there is a Trial Work Period (TWP) and then an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this period, you will receive your full disability benefit regardless of how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2019, any month in which earnings exceed $880 is considered a month of the 9-month trial work period.
Once you’ve completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the EPE. During the EPE, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment. Social Security will suspend cash benefits for months earnings are over SGA and start benefits again if earnings fall below the SGA level. In 2019, you are earning SGA if your earnings, after any allowable deductions, are more than $1,220 in a month.
Check out Social Security’s Red Book for descriptions of the many work incentives.
michael j.
is the max amount I can make monthy still 1,190.00