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. Robert Z.

    My daughter is receiving Social Security & Disability. She has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
    I heard about a special fund that can be set up, which is similar to a savings account. Can you give me some insight and specific information concerning this account/fund.

    • Luis A.

      Hi Robert. We believe you are referring to the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The ABLE Act allows people with disabilities to have a special tax-exempt savings account for expenses related to their disability, such as housing, transportation, and education. This account will not affect other benefits like Social Security and Medicaid. You can find more information on the ABLE accounts in our blog post that we ran earlier this year, “Spreading the News About ABLE Accounts in the Disability Community.”

  2. Chavis M.

    How can I set up a repayment plan via the internet. I owe SS approximately $1200 and I wish to pay back $40 a month but find it so difficult to pay back online. Please help. Thanks

  3. josh j.

    hello I am Josh Jeremy Buttrill
    BNC#:19T2358B52171-HA
    I received a letter stating I would receive an additional $135.50 around August 14; 2019.
    I have yet to receive it in my bank. ???

  4. Jo w.

    If a person is 56 and receive diability and try to work have been receiving benefits since age of 38

  5. Sharan S.

    I would like to file a complaint against the disability department…I was Recently tolded by the San Diego local office that I was not disabled even more recently I was told I owed $10,000+ because this happened in October last year … this all happened between April and June this year … I looked at my average monthly gross for 2018 and it was $800+ per month by no means substantial as per the booklet … I am Bipolar there is no cure and now because of this I was evicted, and have to try to work longer hours … I cant find out how to file a complaint and have had to file for early retirement which they want to take because of this over payment which still leaves me homeless with no way to obtain medication … I dont feel like they can do this, it is wrong … please let me know where to go

  6. Nancy D.

    How much money can I make while on social security disability?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Nancy. If you are referring to Social Security disability benefits, 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. We hope this helps.

  7. Patricia W.

    How do I fill out a direct deposit form to get my income from SSI to begin, and I would like to begin starting to look for work, but I am limited to what I do. We are trying to get my vehicle adapted to what I can use for me to drive right now. As well I will need to find out about placards for me, how do I do that? So many questions and no one will help me find the answers. When I talked to the last person on the phone they told me that I was faking it.
    Which then made me try to commit suicide, makes a person feel so good when your SSI reps tell you that you are faking an injury.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Patricia. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately, your questions are a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. 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.

  8. Melaura L.

    Help me! I am still getting Social Security Disability but I am working full time. I keep getting money every month. Do I still get money? I need my medical benefits so I can continue to work.

  9. Victoria K.

    I need to know the steps of starting a trial work period while on Disability. What needs to be done before starting a job. The job has been offered but need to know how to start a trial period. I am asking for a Family Member on Disability.

    • Luis A.

      Hi Victoria. 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: $1,970 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.” We hope this helps.

  10. Justin D.

    I receive SSDI. How much can I earn per month this year?

    Thanks.

Comments are closed.