If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance, you might assume that any work could cost you your benefits. But SSDI actually has built-in provisions that encourage and support your return to work—including part-time employment. Understanding these rules can help you earn extra income without putting your benefits at risk.
In this article, we'll cover:
- How SSDI differs from SSI when it comes to working
- The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit and what it means
- The Trial Work Period and how to use it strategically
- What happens after your Trial Work Period ends
- Expedited Reinstatement if you lose benefits
- Practical tips for working part-time while on SSDI
SSDI and Work: The Basic Rules
Unlike Supplemental Security Income, which reduces your benefit dollar-for-dollar based on earnings, SSDI uses a threshold system. You can earn money from work without any reduction to your monthly benefit—as long as your earnings stay below certain limits.
The key concept is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2026, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for most disabilities and $2,830 per month if you're blind. If your countable earnings exceed the SGA limit, Social Security may determine that you're capable of substantial work and no longer meet the disability criteria.
But here's what many people don't realize: Social Security actually wants you to try working if you're able. They've created several work incentive programs specifically designed to help you test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits.
The Trial Work Period: Your Safety Net
The Trial Work Period (TWP) is one of the most valuable protections for SSDI recipients who want to work. During your TWP, you can earn any amount—even well above the SGA limit—and still receive your full SSDI benefit.
The Trial Work Period lasts for nine months, but they don't have to be consecutive. Social Security counts any month where you earn more than $1,210 (in 2026) or work more than 80 hours in self-employment as a trial work month. These nine months can be spread over a rolling 60-month period.
Here's a practical example: Say you start a part-time job in March earning $1,400 per month. That counts as a trial work month because it exceeds $1,210. You work through August (six trial work months), then take a break from September through February. When you return to work in March of the following year, you've used six of your nine trial work months. You still have three remaining.
During all nine of those trial work months, you receive your full SSDI payment regardless of how much you earn. This gives you time to see if work is sustainable for you without the pressure of losing benefits immediately.
After the Trial Work Period: The Extended Period of Eligibility
Once you've used all nine trial work months, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this time, Social Security looks at your monthly earnings to determine whether you're engaging in SGA.
In any month where your earnings fall below the SGA limit ($1,690 in 2026), you'll receive your full SSDI benefit. In months where you exceed SGA, your benefit stops—but here's the important part: it can restart automatically during the EPE if your earnings drop back below SGA, without requiring a new application.
This creates flexibility for part-time work. If you have a good month and earn $1,800, you might not receive SSDI that month. But if next month you only earn $1,200, your benefit resumes automatically. You don't have to reapply or go through a new determination.
After the 36-month EPE ends, your benefits will stop if you're consistently earning above SGA. But even then, there's still a safety net.
Expedited Reinstatement: A Second Chance
If your SSDI benefits end because of work and you later find you can't continue working due to your disability, you may qualify for Expedited Reinstatement (EXR). This allows you to restart benefits quickly without filing a brand-new application—as long as you request reinstatement within five years of your benefits ending.
During the EXR process, you can receive provisional benefits for up to six months while Social Security reviews your case. This protection exists because Social Security recognizes that disabilities can fluctuate, and a failed work attempt shouldn't permanently disqualify you from benefits you may still need.
What Counts as Earnings—And What Doesn't
When Social Security calculates whether you've exceeded SGA, they look at countable earnings, which isn't always the same as your gross pay. Several deductions can reduce your countable earnings below your actual paycheck.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) are costs you pay out of pocket for items or services you need because of your disability that allow you to work. This might include medications, specialized transportation, service animals, or attendant care. If you spend $200 monthly on disability-related work expenses, that $200 is subtracted from your earnings before Social Security determines if you've exceeded SGA.
Subsidies and special conditions also matter. If your employer pays you more than the value of your work, provides extra supervision, or gives you fewer responsibilities than other employees in the same position, Social Security may count only the actual value of your work, not your full wages.
Working with a benefits counselor can help you identify all the deductions that apply to your situation. Many states offer free Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs specifically to help SSDI recipients navigate employment.
Practical Tips for Part-Time Work on SSDI
If you're considering part-time work, start by understanding your specific numbers. Know the current SGA limit, the trial work month threshold, and how many trial work months you've already used (if any). Your local Social Security office can tell you this information.
Consider timing your work strategically. If you know you want to try working, using your trial work months when your earnings are highest makes sense—you'll receive full benefits regardless of earnings during those months. Save lower-earning months for after your TWP when staying under SGA matters more.
Keep detailed records of your earnings, hours, and any disability-related work expenses. Report your work activity to Social Security promptly—failing to report can result in overpayments you'll have to repay later. Most people report work through their my Social Security account online or by calling their local office.
Finally, remember that part-time work doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Many SSDI recipients successfully work 10, 15, or 20 hours per week for years, earning extra income while staying comfortably below SGA limits. The goal isn't necessarily to replace your benefits—it's to find a sustainable balance that improves your financial situation and quality of life.
Working while on disability doesn't have to be confusing. Purple helps SSDI recipients manage their finances with accounts designed for people navigating benefit rules, giving you clarity and peace of mind as you explore your options.