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Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are income assistance programs overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA), designed to offset some of the financial challenges associated with being disabled, elderly, and economically disadvantaged.

However, these benefits alone are frequently not nearly enough to meet an individual’s needs, leading many to question whether you can work while on disability. Many SSDI and SSI beneficiaries wonder whether or not they are able to perform some work and continue to receive full monthly benefits.

The short answer to these questions is yes. However, just like working while on workers’ compensation, there are specific eligibility criteria and rules related to each respective program that must be adhered to in order to ensure the continued provision of benefits while working.

 

Working While on Disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a wide range of work incentive programs designed to allow Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) beneficiaries to test their ability to re-enter the workforce. Recipients can supplement the financial assistance they receive from the SSA with additional income while continuing to receive their monthly benefits.

These programs include the Trial Work Period (TWP), the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), and the Ticket to Work Program. Each of these programs has special rules and guidelines related to the amount of income an individual can earn, the expenses they can deduct from their net income, and their continued eligibility. More detail about each of these programs is discussed later in this post.

 

How Much Money Can I Earn While on SSDI in 2023?

The amount of money an individual on SSDI can earn is largely determined by an annually adjusted SSA monthly earnings benchmark known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). Generally speaking, SGA provides a threshold of maximum earnings at a job. If the recipient exceeds that amount, they can be disqualified from receiving further SSDI benefits.

For example, in 2023, the SGA earnings threshold is set at $1,470 per month for individuals with disabilities other than blindness and $2,460 a month for blind beneficiaries. This means that in order to maintain SSDI benefits, an individual receiving SSDI may earn up to $1,469 per month. The SGA threshold for blind recipients is $2,459.  

However, there are exceptions to this rule. One is whether the beneficiary is part of a work program. The effect and impact of SGA on an individual’s SSDI benefits are primarily dependent upon the type of work incentive program they are enrolled in, if any, and whether or not they have previously completed a work incentive program.

Another consideration is how many hours per week you work while on disability. We have addressed this in another blog post for your convenience. 

 

SSDI Trial Work Period (TWP)

The SSDI Trial Work Period (TWP) is a work incentive program that allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to return to work while continuing to collect their full monthly SSA benefits.

All SSDI beneficiaries are eligible for one Trial Work Period so long as they:

• Have not previously participated in a Trial Work Period (TWP)
• Received 24 months of payable benefits, known as an Initial Reinstatement Period (IRP)

For already employed beneficiaries, Trial Work Periods allow them to work and earn as much money as possible over a non-consecutive nine-month period without jeopardizing their SSDI benefits. This nine-month period must take place continuously during a 60-month, five-year rolling eligibility term.

Eligible Trial Work Period months are determined by an SSA earnings trigger known as the Trial Work Level (TWL). The TWL for 2022 was $970, meaning that in any month where an individual enrolled in a TWP earns $970 or more, that month is counted towards their nine-month TWP total. For example, if your TWP started in November of 2022 and you earned $1,450 in November but only $800 in December, you have only used one of your nine “service months” of your TWP.  

 

SSDI Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

After successfully completing a TWP, SSDI recipients are entered into a 36-month-long Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), where their earnings will have an effect on the distribution of SSDI benefits for the first time.

Individuals enrolled in an EPE will continue to receive full SSDI benefits for every month they earn less than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold of $1,470, or $2,460 for blind recipients, for 2023.

 

Working While on SSI Benefits

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries are able to work and continue to receive their monthly benefits so long as their earnings, coupled with any additional income sources, do not exceed SSI income limits set by the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) and state supplement limits.

SSI beneficiaries may also see their benefits reduced as a result of earnings that do not exceed SSI income limits. What counts as income or earnings can be confusing to some people. The types of income that SSI examines include anything you receive that could meet your basic need for food and shelter, such as:

• Deemed income: Income earned by the people you live with, such as your spouse, parents, or sponsor as a non-citizen, is considered deemed income. This amount is used in computations for your benefit amount.
• Earned income: This is defined as any wages paid to you or earned from self-employment, as well as special items such as royalties or sheltered workshop payments.
• In-kind income: If someone provides food, shelter, or both to you for free or at a price below market value, this is considered income. For example, staying in a room at a friend’s home is in-kind income. 
• Unearned income: Payments from Social Security benefits, disability programs in your state, unemployment, interest from savings, or cash paid by friends or relatives.

How Much Money Can I Earn While on SSI in 2023?

Based on the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), the SSI earnings limits for 2023 are $914 per month for an individual and $1,371 per month for a couple. An individual earning an amount above the SSI earnings limit will not be eligible for SSI benefits for that month.

Additionally, the SSA also has an income limit related to the reduction of SSI benefits of $85. The SSA does not count the first $85 of an individual’s monthly gross income, yet every dollar earned in excess of $85 will result in a reduction of SSI benefits of $0.50.

 

SSDI and SSI Ticket to Work Program

SSDI and SSI beneficiaries who are interested in working yet are unable to perform the duties of any of their previous jobs are eligible for free vocational training, schooling, and rehabilitation through the SSA Ticket to Work Program.

Reporting Requirements Working While on Disability

Regardless of the program, both SSDI and SSI beneficiaries are required to report any and all work-related activity to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Work activity includes:

• The start and stop date of any position, new or old
• Total monthly income, if applicable
• Any changes related to work duties, income, and hours worked or scheduled to work
• Any and all work-related expenses resulting from the disability for which an individual receives SSA benefits

Questions About Working While Receiving Social Security Disability?

The highly qualified and dedicated team of Social Security Disability attorneys at Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo is here to answer any questions you may have regarding working while on Social Security Disability, work incentive programs, or any other related topics. 

To schedule a free consultation, contact us today via email or call us at (844) 243-4849 or toll-free at 877-794-2396.