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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Debra H.
Receiving SSDI – what is the current cap for earnings for a 65 year old disabled person?
Is there an age where earnings do not matter anymore for a person receiving SSDI?
William R.
I have been out of the work force a very long time and possible employers seek worker employment verification. I have been on the phone most the day speaking to ex employers and even educational institutions asking for past related educational attendance records and even transcripts of education and work history but have been told that the records do not exist concerning the periods I am requesting. I have been told that under the current laws that any records past 7 years from the date of the request for such records have all been destroyed and no longer are in existence. To even attend educational institutions to obtain training now require a person to have 5 years recent verifiable work history to be able to obtain training to be accepted in the work force of our nation in the USA. How can these things so necessary to prove a persons Identity be destroyed from all records???? I am 59 years old and have been out of the workforce since military service discharge in 1987. Even the VA claims no records avalable to them and have told me they see me because I am in their files as being under their care, but they have no records of military service nor any DD-214. How can this be the truth of these things??? Most people I grew up with and family members have all passed away and even businesses have went out of business that I worked for and the question then becomes, “How do I prove where I came from and my citizenship and right to exist and belong in the USA and even continue to receive Social Security Disability Payments” I am old enough in age I have no skills and no physical ability to do manual hard labor to make a living and even to protect myself from false legal law-suites. I don’t even have criminal records of being in jail or prison and things that are not true often come attached to my name but how does a person defend ones self from false identity much less identity theft.
Constance H.
Why do you make it impossible to get a person on the line? Why when I request a call back am I left online holding without reassurance that I’ll get a call back?
Freddie B.
Hello – can I work part-time and still receive my SSDI benefits?
William C.
I turned age 62 in November of 2019 how can I apply for my social security benefits I already draw my disability
A.C.
Hi, William. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the benefit amount remains the same. Hope this helps.
Banita G.
I am on disability and will turn 62 in August. When will I go from disability insurance to retirement?
A.C.
Hi, Banita. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the benefit amount remains the same. Hope this helps.
James B.
I will be working this year 2020. So, what is the max, I can make? And, how many hours is that? Maximum and Low on hours?
A.C.
Hi, James. 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.
Andrea
My husband is currently receiving SSDI benefits, how much monthly income is he allowed before it would affect his benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Andrea. If you are referring to Social Security disability benefits, special rules allow your husband to work temporarily without losing his monthly Social Security disability benefits. After his nine-month trial work period, we still provide a safety net that allows him to work another three years risk free. During those three years, he can work and still receive benefits for any month in which his earnings do not exceed a certain limit. For 2020, those limits are: $2,110 for blind individuals; or $1,260 a month if he is not blind. For more information on working while receiving Social Security disability benefits, click here. We hope this helps.
Robert G.
i am on ssdi for copd and draw ss i am 66yrs old can i try to work ?
A.C.
Hi, Robert. If you are receiving Social Security disability, 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. Also, when you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. We hope this helps.
Candy W.
What’s the gross amount someone can make per month while on SSDI in 2020??
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Candy. 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.