Disability, SSI

Working While Disabled — Social Security Can Help

August 2, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: July 15, 2021

man sitting in wheelchair

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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Judith A.

    I informed SS of my Return to Work for the past school year as an educator. I’ve been disabled and on SSDI for 20 years. My health suffered greatly during my school year, with my vision leaving my right eye, almost completely. I called to inform you that my work would not go past May 24, 2019. I was told all was fine. Now I get a letter telling me my benefits end in August. I don’t have a job anymore. I was unable to perform it in a satisfactory way due to my MS. I need to appeal this decision and SERIOUSLY need my benefits to continue as I appeal this stupid decision I was assured would never happen. Why does the right hand at SS never know what the left is going to do? It was my RIGHT to try and work and I gave it an honest effort. I am in pain all the time, my vision is badly impacted. I cannot return to work in my field as I am unable to handle the pressure and stress of being a full-time educator to today’s teens. Please reverse this very bad decision someone there made. I did everything you asked of me, and you lied to me that my SSDI was safe.

    • J.Y.

      Hi Judith. If you were receiving Social Security disability, there are a few reasons why the benefits may have been terminated. You should read our page on “What Can Cause Benefits to Stop.”

      If you were receiving SSI, there are a few reasons why SSI may have been terminated. Typically, people receiving SSI because they are disabled must have their medical conditions reviewed from time to time. The SSI will continue unless there is strong proof that a person’s condition has improved medically and that they will be able to return to work. However, SSI benefits can also be terminated if living arrangements change. For more information, read our publication on “What You Need To Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI).”

      To find out exactly why your benefits were terminated, you can also contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this information is helpful.

  2. janice k.

    my name is janice kaye richey and i am getting calls saying i need to call and give information and they wont send out a bench order i have not done anything so why our they doing this and is it fraud what do i do i hang up and block it the number is 909 7137061 can you please tell me what to do i wont call them back so they cant get my information thank you janice

    • L.A.

      Hi Janice. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.

  3. Diana K.

    I need help finding work while I;m on disability. I;ve been permanently disabled since 2008. I need to find part time work that I can do, PLEASE.
    Diana Hall
    Anaheim, CA 92805

  4. stephen w.

    how much am i allowed to earn while on ssd

    • A.C.

      Hi, Stephen. 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. Whether you are receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be able to work. Learn more information by reading our publication, Working while Disabled- How We Can Help. Thanks!

  5. John W.

    How do i find out how.many hrs am I eligible to work?

    • A.C.

      Hi, John. 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. 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!

  6. George E.

    Hello,my name is George Eddie Tipton.My date of birth is 11/01/1970.My social security # is *** – ** – ***.My phone # is (276)219-8840…I was wondering if someone that gets social security disability is allowed to work any at all or not. Thank You

    • A.C.

      Hi, George. 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. Whether you are receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be able to work. Learn more information by reading our publication, Working while Disabled- How We Can Help. Thanks!

  7. April

    My name is April and I live in Boise Idaho when I’m trying to find out is I’m receiving SSI benefits and want to find out how much money I can make and still receive my benefits without them being interrupted if someone could please help me hear it would greatly be appreciated I’m wanting to do something part-time and try to get back into the workforce but still be able to keep my benefits as well

  8. carol r.

    what is the amount per month that someone can earn if they are on ssdi?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Carol. Hi. 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 2017, 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. We hope this helps.

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