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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A friend of mine had back surgery and is unable to work. I don’t understand all the circumstances cause she had insurance from her job that she paid for while working. There was also a settlement with Met Life of a smalll amount but not enough to sustain her life in to her 80’s (so she claims). She gets disability from SS. Can she still work? I can’t stand that she doesn’t leave her house other than to shop for food, and run small errands. This will kill her alone withdrawing from the world. Can you help me to understand? Will she be penalized and benefits taken away if she works? Do they look at her Networth of her monies she is receiving?? Is it because she got a settlement from an insurance company that was settled out of court?? Is that what they use to gage if she can work? I’m sure there is some kind of formula, rule or law. She is in her late 50’s. Thank you.
Looking forward to hearing from you. I would like to see her come to life again and be the person I used to know.
Sincerely
otis w.
What if I am on social security, which I am, and I am still working part time, which I am, and I become disabled, will my benefits increase?
Christine K.
How can I order the booklet Working while disabled– how we can help–Publication No. 05-10095?
Ann C.
Hi, Christine. You can order our publications by visiting our Publications webpage. Select the order button at the top of the page for more information. We hope this helps.
Herman G.
Hell,
Can a person receiving SSI obtain part -time employment? If so how much can he/she make monthly before they are considered not eligible for SSI payments?
Vonda V.
Hi Herman: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to individuals who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled, with limited income and resources. Because the monthly amount of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit is based, in part, on the income available to you, it is important to report your work timely and have your pay stubs and report your wages monthly to prevent an overpayment. See Reporting Wages When You Receive Supplemental Security Income for more information.
Tom D.
How much money can you earn in 2018 if you are receiving social security disability?
Ray F.
Hello Tom, if you are under full retirement age that limit is $17,040. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. For complete information, visit “Getting Benefits While Working“. Thanks!
William W.
That’s a good incentive to be able to get back to your way of life, without being punished for God’s grace!
M. J.
I’m a 64 year old individual who has been receiving Social security Disability Insurance benefits since 2007. I’ll be 66 on January 3, 2020. If I were to find some type of employment that would accommodate my disability what is the process to follow without jeopardizing my SSDI?
A visit to a local office was not helpful with an answer. And a phone call to Social Security provided me with the following:
1. A recommendation that I sign up or learn about the Ticket to Work program.
2. A description of the process without Ticket to Work is simply reporting my work to Social Security. All I would do is call the same number that I called and report that I was working. I’m not sure but that seemed to be what I would do if I found employment and I wasn’t participating in the Without Ticket to Work program.
M. J.
I’m a 64 year old individual who has been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits since 2007. I’ll be 66 on January 3, 2020. If I were to find some type of employment that would accommodate my disability what is the process to follow without jeopardizing my SSDI?
A visit to a local office was not helpful with an answer. And a phone call to Social Security provided me with the following:
1. A recommendation that I sign up or learn about the Ticket to Work program.
2. A description of the process without Ticket to Work is simply reporting my work to Social Security. All I would do is call the same number that I called and report that I was working. I’m not sure but that seemed to be what I would do if I found employment and I wasn’t participating in the Without Ticket to Work program.
In any case, what are income limits? It’s hard to distinguish between two shown online. One is $1150 and the other $850
Vonda V.
Hi there. Thank you for your question. Social Security has special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. These are called work incentives.
For SSDI beneficiaries, there is a Trial Work Period (TWP) and then an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During this period, you will receive your full disability benefit regardless of how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2018, any month in which earnings exceed $850 is considered a month of the 9-month trial work period.
Once you’ve completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the EPE. During the EPE, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment. Social Security will suspend cash benefits for months earnings are over SGA and start benefits again if earnings fall below the SGA level. In 2018, you are earning SGA if your earnings, after any allowable deductions, are more than $1,180 in a month.
See Social Security’s Red Book for descriptions of the many work incentives.
JOSEPH M.
Very Interesting. I wrote two letters prior to this note and I am looking forward to receiving a reply.
I am 87 years old and hurt my back several years ago.
I worked many years including years in my 70’s.
I had two hip replacements. One in 1989 and the
second in 1991. Then my knee replacement in 2008.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK if someone will hire me but nobody wants to hire an 87 year old.
I receive $58 per month worth of Food. I use that amount
in less than two weeks.
Needless to say, I need much more than I earn or at least qualify for. Who ever receives this, please give it
to the executive in charge of approving monthly payments or can find me a job working from home or at a desk in someone’s office. THANK YOU
JOSEPH MASSA
Kathleen W.
I am receiving less income than normal since I am on medical disability (since June). This article says I should tell SS when something like this happens but I don’t know how to “tell” you. Is there a phone number or web site that I should use
Ray F.
Hello Kathleen. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. One of our agents should be able to provide you with proper guidance in regards to reporting your “income”. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!