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. Carolyn

    Can anyone tell me where I can find the rules or regulations regarding when disability benefits owed before your claim was approved are. I just was approved in 2018 and qualified for benefits back to 2016. I keep getting different answers from the representatives I talk to.

    • V.V.

      Hi Carolyn: If you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits, there is a five-month waiting period before we can begin your benefits. We will pay your first benefit for the sixth full month after the date we find your disability began.

      See When Your Benefits Start for more information.

  2. Donna M.

    I have been having a hard time paying my bills and need a few more dollars a month. I have a bad hip and a broken foot, not to mention seven or so other problems. Is there anything I can do to help my situation.

  3. Robin B.

    I have a question. One thing many people have asked is what happens when we reach full retirement age. I get that as if now when 66 our disability benefits become retirement benefits. My question is what about the part of my benefits that are based on my age & disability (adult child) changed to survivors when my mother passed. Does that also become retirement benefits.
    Thank you.
    Robin Brodkin

    • V.V.

      Hi Robin, thank you for your question. Social Security can provide you, your spouse, and other eligible members of your family with benefits:
      •when you retire;
      •if you become disabled; and
      •when you die.

  4. SPENCER G.

    I don’t understand all your rules and all your new changes how am i to understand what the hell to do so i stopped going to doctors. so few will take medicare as you know they want more money and i have to eat so i guess this is how it ends thanx.

    • R.F.

      Hello Spencer. Please visit the Medicare website to learn about programs available to assist people with low income pay for Medicare expenses. These programs may help you save money on medical and drug costs.
      Many states also have programs to help with Medicare payments. You can find out about them by calling your State Medical Assistance Office. To get the local phone number, call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). Thanks!

  5. Elizabeth R.

    If I took early retirement back when I was 62 and then I started working again and now I have trouble walking could I get disability and 73 years old

    • R.F.

      Hello Elizabeth. Under current law, if a person has reached his or her full retirement age (Currently 66) and is receiving Social Security retirement, they will not be eligible for disability benefits. Thanks.

  6. Marie m.

    Iam disable wants a job that i can do

    • R.F.

      Hello Marie, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!

  7. Timothy G.

    Been on disability for many years and haven’t worked since 2009 looking to work from home without interfering with my SSA benefit but need more income to help pay my bills, will work as required…please help me deal with this situation…

    • R.F.

      Hi Timothy. You can try to return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. We have special rules to help you get back to work without jeopardizing your benefits. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help”.
      Keep in mind that whether you are receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income, 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. For specific questions and to report changes and update your benefit records, please contact your local office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We hope this helps.

  8. Alfreada W.

    I didn’t find the COA information

  9. Elaine C.

    I was receiving SSDI due to a work related injury. When I was let go from my employment and no longer working, I started to receive straight SSI. I was not making enough to even pay for an apartment, and last Nov I had to go back to work.
    Now I am having severe back and leg pain, and have been out of work for the past two weeks. I also see an orthopedic specialist every six months for a gel injection in my right knee.

    Recently I received a letter telling me that as of Jan 2019 I would be losing my Extra Help with Part D.

    I can not afford to quit work and physically having a difficult time. Can you give me some advice on my options?

    • V.V.

      Thank you for contacting us, Elaine. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.

      For details regarding your extra help and disability benefits, you will have to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  10. Mary

    How much money can you gross per month while on SSD?

    • V.V.

      Hi Maury, 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.

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