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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Gina D.
I need to know how much I can make a month before I would be cut off from SSDI?
L.A.
Hi Gina. In 2019, if you are under your full retirement age, and your earnings are more than $17,640 a year, or $1,470 a month, we withhold $1 of benefits for every $2. In 2020, the earnings limits are $18,240 a year, or $1,520 a month. Again, if your earnings are above these limits, we withhold $1 of benefits for every $2. You can find more information about the earnings limits here. You can also read out publication titled “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” We hope this helps.
Yvonne M.
I am receiving Social Security disability benefits, but a friend has made me a job offer. It wouldn’t be enough to sustain me alone, but I could definitely use the extra income and it’s a job I think I could do. How does Social Security handle things like this? Under the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) program?
Yvonne M.
I am receiving Social Security disability benefits, but a friend has made me a job offer. It wouldn’t be enough to sustain me alone, but I could definitely use the extra income and it’s a job I think I could do. How does Social Security handle things like this?
Yvonne M.
Can I get on teh SGA program?
A.C.
Hi, Yvonne. 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 2020, those limits are: $2,110 for blind individuals; or $1,260 a month if you are not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, click here. We hope this helps.
Verline
How much money am I allowed to make per year if I receive $771.00 per month in disability?
So that it doesn’t effect my benefits?
L.A.
Hi Verline. It may be possible for you to work while you are receiving disability benefits. Whether you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (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. We have programs that may help you with your situation. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.”
For your security, we do not have access to information about your account on this forum. We do ask that you contact your local Social Security office with questions about your specific case, or you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps.
William P.
How much is a person in Virginia receiving SSDI earn w/o losing their SSDI Pension?
Claudette S.
Im thinking about going back to work, part time. I’m recieving disability, how many hours can I work and how many hours ?
L.A.
Hi Claudette. For your security, we do not have access to your personal information about your account in this forum. Whether you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (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. We have programs that may help you return back to work without jeopardizing your initial benefits. You can learn more about our available programs by visiting our publication titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” For specific questions about your case, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or, you contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
KASONDRA A.
I would like to know how many hours a week I can work while on ssi
L.A.
Hi Kasondra. Please note that for your security, we do not have access to personal information in this forum. For specific questions about your case, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Daryla L.
how much money can you earn while on disabily, i have gotten several different answers when ive talked to people
L.A.
Hi Daryla. It may be possible for you to work while you are receiving disability benefits. Whether you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (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. We have programs that may help you with your situation. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.”
For your security, we do not have access to information about your account on this forum. We do ask that you call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact your local Social Security office with questions about your specific case. We hope this helps.
Bonita B.
I’m disabled since 2010. My husband passed away in June this year. I was told by a rep. at S.S. that I would not receive any benefits from my husband’s S.S. I have tried 2 different times to go back to work and can not do the jobs. All of my husband money that he paid in to the government for 45 years will be sent to the Dept. if Treasury. I get nothing. Dan, my husband turned 65 in May and died in June. I’m only NOW able to try and understAnd this decision. I make $1560 a month disability. That’s all I have. His paycheck stopped which was approx $2000 a month. I still have bills but not near enough to cover them. I don’t ask for help normally but I’m at a point that I have to. Don’t want a handout. Only part /percentage of what he paid to the government. Born and raised in the USA. Worked most of my life in the USA. Again, my husband worked 45+ yrs. And all of his s.s. Goes to the govermnet?? Does not seem right or fair. Please, I need help. Can someone reach out to me to help me understand this. I just sold my home after not being able to make paynents. I am receiving $3900. from the sale.
A.C.
Hi, Bonita. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your situation. 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. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. To find out whether you may qualify and if you need to file a separate application call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). You also can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Mark C.
I have a question. I’m researching for a friend that is disabled. He wants to know if he can work part time and not loose his disability benefits. Some of my research shows that he can work 10 hours per week and make no more than $1250.00 a month and others are saying what ever he makes will be deducted from his check or he will lose his benefits all together. I need to know exactly what to tell him. Please help. If you can email me the information I can give it to him. Thank you for time.