Wanting to work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance doesn't mean you're not disabled — it means you're exploring what's possible. The good news is that Social Security actually encourages SSDI recipients to test their ability to work, and they've built in several programs to help you do it without immediately losing your benefits.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Whether SSDI recipients are allowed to work
- The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit and what it means
- How the Trial Work Period lets you test your ability to work
- What happens after your Trial Work Period ends
- The Extended Period of Eligibility and other safety nets
- How to report your earnings to Social Security
Yes, You Can Work on SSDI
The short answer is yes — you can work while receiving SSDI benefits. Social Security recognizes that disability isn't always all-or-nothing, and they want to support people who are able to do some work. The key is understanding the rules so you don't accidentally put your benefits at risk.
The most important number to know is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2026, that limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 per month for individuals who are blind. If your countable earnings are below the SGA limit, Social Security generally considers you to still be disabled, and your SSDI benefits continue without interruption.
It's worth noting that "countable earnings" may not be the same as your gross paycheck. Social Security allows certain deductions, called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs), for costs directly related to your disability that you need in order to work. For example, if you need specialized transportation or certain medications to work, those costs might be deducted from your gross earnings before Social Security evaluates whether you're over the SGA limit.
The Trial Work Period
Social Security's Trial Work Period (TWP) is one of the most important protections for SSDI recipients who want to work. During the TWP, you can work and earn any amount — even above the SGA limit — while still receiving your full SSDI benefits.
The TWP lasts for 9 months within a rolling 60-month (5-year) window. The months don't have to be consecutive. In 2026, a month counts as a Trial Work Period month if you earn more than $1,210 in that month (or if you're self-employed, work more than 80 hours).
So if you start a part-time job and earn $2,000 per month, that month would count as one of your nine TWP months, but you'd still receive your full SSDI check. This gives you the chance to see if you can sustain employment without the fear of immediately losing your benefits.
What Happens After the Trial Work Period
Once you've used all nine Trial Work Period months, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). This is a 36-month window during which Social Security evaluates your work activity month by month.
During the EPE, if your earnings are above the SGA limit in any given month, your SSDI benefits won't be paid for that month. But if your earnings drop below SGA — maybe your hours get cut, or you have a health setback and can't work as much — your benefits can automatically restart without having to file a new application. This is a significant safety net that removes much of the risk from trying to work.
After the EPE ends, the rules get stricter. If you're still earning above SGA, Social Security will generally stop your benefits. However, there's one more protection: Expedited Reinstatement. If your benefits end because of work but you later find you can't continue working due to your disability, you can request expedited reinstatement within five years. Social Security can restart your benefits provisionally while they review your case, so you're not left without income during the process.
Other Work Incentive Programs
Beyond the TWP and EPE, Social Security offers several other programs to support SSDI recipients who work.
A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) allows you to set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — like education, vocational training, or starting a business — without that money counting against you for SSI purposes. While PASS is technically an SSI program, it can be relevant for concurrent beneficiaries.
Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary program that connects SSDI and SSI recipients with employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and other support to help them become financially independent. Participating in Ticket to Work can also provide some protection from medical Continuing Disability Reviews while you're making progress toward your employment goals.
Reporting Your Earnings
If you work while receiving SSDI, you're required to report your earnings to Social Security. This is one of those responsibilities that's easy to overlook but critically important. Failing to report can lead to overpayments — and Social Security will eventually find out and ask for the money back.
You should report your work activity and earnings as soon as possible. You can do this by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office, or reporting online through your my Social Security account.
It's a good practice to keep copies of your pay stubs and any documentation of work-related expenses that might qualify as IRWEs. Having organized records makes it much easier if Social Security has questions about your earnings or if you need to dispute an overpayment notice down the road.
Making the Decision to Work
Deciding whether to work on SSDI is personal, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The financial incentives can be meaningful — earning even a modest amount can improve your quality of life — and Social Security's work incentive programs provide real protections.
The key is to go in with your eyes open. Understand the SGA limit, know how many Trial Work Period months you've used, and keep Social Security informed about your earnings. With the right planning, working on SSDI can be a positive step toward greater financial stability.
Working while on SSDI is possible — and having the right bank account can help you stay organized. Purple offers accounts designed for disability benefit recipients, making it easy to track your income and manage your finances.