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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CLAUDIA H.
According to my Dr I can work up to 20 hrs a week and I just started doing that. Please if someone could direct me on how to go about notifying SSAN about that. Mot sure who or where to call. I have not collected a paycheck as of yet.
L.A.
Hi Claudia. Thank you for your question. 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 certain limits. For 2019, those limits are: $2,040 if you are legally blind; 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 titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” We hope this helps.
Aurora
I understand that if you are on permanent disability for years and now at age 68 qualify for retirement is that mean that you get and additional amount of money for the retirement or your disability just stay the same this is very confusing. Also some people had informed me that someone on disability can also get the retirement and work a part time job with no limitations of earnings . I think its called 66+earning with no limits. I am not sure of this or how to go about it. Right now I”m struggling financially because my disability income its not enough not even to pay my mortgage that keeps going up. Can you please give some answers . I tried to search for the answers but I can only get answer to apply for either or, but not the answer I’m looking for. Your answer will be very helpful to me. thank you in advance.
L.A.
Hi Aurora. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the benefit amount remains the same. Therefore, you don’t have to do anything. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working and read our publication, “How Work Affects Your Benefits,” for more information.
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, we have special rules that allow you to work temporarily without losing your monthly Social Security or SSI disability benefits. For more information on working while receiving Social Security or SSI disability benefits, click here, or check out our publication titled, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” We hope this helps.
Darrell P.
I have an unusual question. I haven’t worked since becoming disabled. My wife is being laid off and I want to help if I can. I don’t have a job yet but want to apply for some I see offered online. I’m not positive I can do the job but would like to try as we are raising two grandchildren and without my wife’s income it will be hard on the family. OK that’s enough with the background.
I’m 65 and if I can find somthing I can do I will hit my 9 trial month the month I reach full retirement age. I understand my benefit converts to regular Social Security at 66 years but will it still convert if I’m in my 8th month of working at a substantial gainful employment level? The last thing I need to do is cause more harm by trying to work. Note I did contact ticket to work and she said I wasn’t eligible because of my age. The person on the phone also couldn’t tell me if I would lose my regular Social Security Benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Darrell. Unfortunately, your question is 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. In your situation, it may be best to contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Billy C.
I have been in the automobile and transportation business for over thirty years. I would like to take to the next level and get into design and engineering. To see if I can make a bigger contribution to keep America moving forward.
Mory R.
How much money can I make while on Social security disability
A.C.
Hi, Mory. Thanks for your question. 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.
Henrietta B.
Im looking to see how many hours I can work and still receive my benefits with social security .
A.C.
Hi, Henrietta. 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, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Debbie
Quick Question. If you take early retirement at 62 and you received amount for early retirement. When you turn 67, will you get your full retirement or will the amount stay the same for age 62 early retirement you took.
L.A.
Hi, Debbie. Based on the information you’re providing, your full retirement age is 67. You can only get her full retirement benefit at age 67. If a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits for which the person may qualify. Please bear in mind that the decision on when to apply for your Retirement Benefits is a personal one. We can only provide you with the information to help you make the best choice according to your own situation. We provide a variety of benefit calculators to help you plan for the future. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this information helps.
Holly E.
No mention of income averaging is seen here. One local social security agent challenged the worker regarding why he was on income averaging even though it is a sales job with monthly variations. Perhaps she was trying to be intimidating. Typical.
Kevin K.
Some Questions
Isn’t it a 3 month period where Social Security counts the SGA (substantial gainful activity) amount, or is it every 30 or 31 day periods (from day of hire or first day at work)
Again, when does Social Security count from, date of hire or date of first day (of employment)? One month or 3 months?
Say someone starts a job and in a 30 day period works over the SGA ($1220.00). Isn’t it OK because there is a 3 month period that Social Security collects the pay stub info for the working disabled person? So the person working can still, in a 3 month period, earn under the SGA amount because the average earned money divided by 3 months would be less each month than the $1220.00.
The 2019 SGA amount is $1220.00. Obviously a new worker starts on a day of a certain month. Does Social Security count this first month as a qualifying month to earn $1220.00. And then month to month after that?
Charlet E.
I am trying to find out if have been on social security disability if I can be on regular social security at 66 yrs of age instead of dissability if I am able to work now. Thanks so much!