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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Prach J.
Who can help me find a job?? My State of PA does little to help the highly functioning person with Disabilities. I’ve been with two ticket to work agencies since 2012 and nobody has helped me yet. Is it really that hard??
V.V.
Hello Joseph. The Ticket to Work program provides Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to work with access to free employment support services. Please check it out!
Diane w.
Can you work while on disability. How much can you earn
A.C.
Hi, Diane. Special rules allow you to work temporarily without losing your monthly Social Security disability benefits. After your nine-month trial work period, we still provide a safety net that allows you to work another three years risk free. During those three years, you can work and still receive benefits for any month in which your earnings do not exceed a certain limit. For 2019, those limits are: $2,040 for blind individuals; or $1,220 a month if you are not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, click here. You can report your earnings using your personal my Social Security account. Whether you are receiving Social Security or SSI, you may be able to work. Learn more information by reading our publication, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” Thanks!
Kenny P.
I just got ssi,but I want to work part time
A.C.
Hi, Kenny. The amount of your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit, is based, in part, on the income available to you. Whether you are receiving Social Security or SSI, it is important to let us know promptly when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. You can find more information about working temporarily without losing monthly Social Security disability or SSI benefits by reading our publication, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” Thanks!
Janet G.
i am a LPN and am 58 years old and I did not get my social security check on the 3rd of May. I have been trying to work as a part-time nurse in a nursing home. I love being a nurse but I can not lift anymore as a nurse is needed to in a nursing home. I make aprox. $ 25.00 an hour and have been on social security for over 3 years and last year was the first time I worked in 3 years and made approximately 19,000+ plus for 2018. I dont know what to tell my employer how many hours I can work and still be eligible for my social security check each month. please help thank you
JAY B.
i wish to ask if social security works with skilled workers with disabilities as i have a new resume and a full work history thank you JAY
V.V.
Hi Jay. If you’re asking if Social Security is hiring, thank you for your interest in working for us. Visit our Careers at SSA web page to learn about career options.
If you’re asking about working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, 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.
Keith C.
How much extra money can I make a month working while on disability?
A.C.
Hi, Keith. Thanks for your question. Special rules allow you to work temporarily without losing your monthly Social Security disability benefits. After your nine-month trial work period, we still provide a safety net that allows you to work another three years risk free. During those three years, you can work and still receive benefits for any month in which your earnings do not exceed a certain limit. For 2019, those limits are: $2,040 for blind individuals; or $1,220 a month if you are not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
Whether you are receiving Social Security or SSI, you may be able to work. Learn more information by reading our publication, Working while Disabled- How We Can Help. Thanks!
Gwendolyn C.
Im on social security but am now disabled
Would it benefit me too apply for social security disability
V.V.
Hi Gwendolyn. It depends on how old you are. When a person reaches their full retirement age (currently 66) and is receiving Social Security retirement, they are not longer eligible for disability benefits. If you are under your full retirement age, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits. To inquire about potential disability benefits, you will need to contact your local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
SUNNY
I HAVE DISABILITY SS RECEIVED AND I HAVE INCOME MORE THAN $32000
IS THIS INCOME IS TAXABLE
A.C.
Hi, Sunny. Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your benefits. See our Benefits Planner: Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits for more information. Thanks!
Gregory M.
I plan on going back to work how much can i make a year in order to collect my social security and work at the same time
A.C.
Hi, Gregory. If you work and are full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn, starting with the month you reach your full retirement age. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, this can reduce the number of payments you receive through the year. For 2019 that limit is $17,640. If you applied and received benefits prior to attainment of full retirement age, and work part-time thereafter you will be considered “retired” only if your monthly earnings are $1,470 or less. Also, if your earnings will be over the limit for the year but you will be retired for part of the year, we have a special rule that applies to earnings for one year. Please visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working for more information. If you have specific questions about your situation, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak with one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. We hope this helps.
Carla K.
Hi my name is Carla, I have a question?
Will I loose my SSD and medical, also I’m
under DDD. I went to college but never was
trained . I have Advance Business Software, Business Software, and office assistant. These came from Bellevue College, in Bellevue WA. These are three certificates .
Thank you
for let me share this with you guys.