One of the most common fears among SSDI recipients is that going back to work—even part-time—will cause them to lose their benefits. The reality is more nuanced and, in many cases, more encouraging than people expect. Social Security actually has several programs designed to help you test your ability to work without immediately putting your benefits at risk. The key is understanding the rules so you can make informed decisions.
In this article, we'll cover:
- The short answer: yes, you can work on SSDI
- How the Trial Work Period lets you test employment
- What happens during the Extended Period of Eligibility
- Understanding the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit
- Special rules and deductions that can help
- How to report your work activity to Social Security
Yes, You Can Work While Receiving SSDI
Let's start with the most important point: receiving SSDI does not mean you can never work. Social Security recognizes that disabilities can fluctuate, that people want to be productive, and that returning to work—even in a limited capacity—can be beneficial. The agency has built in several safety nets so you can explore employment without the fear of an immediate benefit cutoff.
That said, the rules do matter. SSDI is fundamentally tied to the concept of disability, which Social Security defines in part as being unable to engage in substantial gainful activity. If you consistently earn above a certain threshold, Social Security may eventually determine you're no longer disabled. The programs described below exist to give you time to figure out whether working is sustainable before that determination happens.
The Trial Work Period
The Trial Work Period (TWP) is the first and most generous safety net. It gives you nine months (which don't have to be consecutive) to test your ability to work while receiving your full SSDI payment, no matter how much you earn.
In 2026, a month counts as a trial work month if you earn more than $1,210. You can use your nine trial work months over a rolling 60-month (five-year) window. During these months, there is no cap on your earnings—you could earn $5,000 in a month and still receive your full SSDI check.
This is an incredibly valuable opportunity. It lets you take a job, see how your body and mind handle the demands of work, and keep your full benefits the entire time. Many people don't realize how generous this provision is.
The Extended Period of Eligibility
After you've used all nine trial work months, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts for 36 months. During the EPE, the rules change: Social Security looks at your monthly earnings to determine whether you're engaging in substantial gainful activity.
If your earnings are at or above the SGA limit of $1,690/month in 2026 (or $2,830/month if you're blind), your SSDI payment will be withheld for that month. If your earnings fall below the SGA limit, your payment resumes automatically. This creates a safety net where your benefits flex with your ability to work—you don't lose everything the moment you have one good month.
The first month during the EPE that your earnings exceed SGA is called the cessation month. After the cessation month, you have a three-month grace period where you'll receive your SSDI payment regardless of earnings. After the grace period, the month-by-month evaluation based on SGA begins.
Understanding the SGA Limit
The substantial gainful activity limit is the earnings threshold Social Security uses to decide whether your work represents a significant level of productive activity. In 2026, the limits are $1,690/month for non-blind individuals and $2,830/month for blind individuals.
It's important to know that SGA is based on countable earnings, not necessarily your gross pay. Social Security allows you to deduct certain costs before calculating your SGA, which can keep you under the limit even if your gross earnings are above it.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) are one of the most helpful deductions. These are costs you pay out-of-pocket for items or services you need because of your disability in order to work. Examples include medications, medical devices, specialized transportation, a personal attendant at work, or assistive technology. If you spend $300/month on disability-related expenses that enable you to work, that amount is subtracted from your earnings before Social Security evaluates your SGA.
Subsidies and special conditions can also reduce your countable earnings. If your employer provides extra support, accommodations, or supervision beyond what other employees receive, Social Security may determine that your pay doesn't fully reflect your productive capacity, which can lower your countable earnings for SGA purposes.
The Ticket to Work Program
Social Security's Ticket to Work program is a free, voluntary program that connects SSDI recipients with employment services, career counseling, and job placement assistance. When you're using a Ticket, you generally receive protection from medical continuing disability reviews, which means Social Security won't re-evaluate your disability status while you're actively participating in the program.
Ticket to Work doesn't change the SGA rules or the trial work period, but it provides additional support and protection as you explore employment. You can find service providers in your area through Social Security's Ticket to Work website or by calling the Ticket to Work helpline.
Reporting Your Work Activity
If you start working, you must report your earnings to Social Security promptly. This includes all employment, whether it's part-time, temporary, or self-employment. You should report when you start working, how much you're earning, and any changes in your earnings.
You can report by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office, or using your my Social Security account online. Keep pay stubs, tax records, and any documentation of impairment-related work expenses—you'll need these to support any deductions you're claiming.
Failing to report earnings is one of the most common causes of SSDI overpayments. If Social Security discovers unreported work, they may determine you were overpaid and ask for the money back, potentially going back months or years. Reporting early and often is always the safer choice.
After the Extended Period of Eligibility
Once the 36-month EPE ends, if you're earning above SGA, your SSDI benefits will stop. However, you have an additional safety net: Expedited Reinstatement. If you stop working within five years of your benefits ending because your disability prevents you from continuing, you can request to have your SSDI restarted without filing a brand-new application. You can receive up to six months of temporary benefits while Social Security processes your reinstatement request.
This is a significant protection because it means trying to work doesn't permanently close the door on your SSDI. If it doesn't work out, there's a clear path back.
Going back to work is one of the most personal decisions you can make, and you deserve to make it with full information. Purple's checking account is built for people on SSDI, helping you manage your finances and keep clear records as you navigate work and benefits.