How to Earn Extra Income Without Losing Disability Payments
Introduction: Can You Work While on Disability?
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may be wondering:
💼 Can I work part-time while receiving disability benefits?
💼 How much can I earn without losing SSI or SSDI?
💼 Will working trigger a review of my disability status?
The short answer:
✔ Yes, you can work part-time while receiving SSI or SSDI, but there are strict income limits.
✔ Earning too much could reduce your SSI payment or cause SSDI benefits to stop.
✔ Work incentive programs like Ticket to Work allow you to test employment without losing benefits immediately.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ How working affects SSI vs. SSDI differently
✅ How much you can earn while on disability
✅ How SSA calculates your work income
✅ What happens if you earn over the limit?
✅ How to work while keeping your benefits safe
Let’s break it all down!
Can You Work While on SSI or SSDI?
Yes! SSI and SSDI allow recipients to work, but each program has different rules.
✔ SSDI Recipients – Can Work, But Earnings Are Limited
SSDI is based on your work history, so you can work as long as you earn below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit.
Earning more than the SGA limit ($1,550/month in 2024, or $2,590 if blind) could cause SSA to stop your benefits.
💡 You can use the Trial Work Period (TWP) to test working without immediately losing benefits.
⚠️ SSI Recipients – Income Directly Affects Benefits
SSI is needs-based, so any earnings can reduce your monthly SSI check.
If your income plus other resources exceed $2,000 ($3,000 for couples), you may lose benefits.
💡 However, SSI allows some income exclusions to let you work and keep benefits longer.
How Much Can You Earn While on SSI or SSDI?
✔ SSDI: 2024 Work Limits
You can earn up to $1,550 per month ($2,590 if blind) before benefits stop.
If you earn more than $1,050 per month, SSA counts this as a Trial Work Month.
After 9 Trial Work Months, SSA may review your disability status.
💡 If you go over the SGA limit, SSDI benefits may stop—but you can qualify for Expedited Reinstatement if you stop working again.
⚠️ SSI: 2024 Work Limits
SSA does NOT count the first $85 of earnings per month.
After that, they deduct $1 for every $2 earned.
💡 Example:If you earn $1,085 from a part-time job, SSA ignores the first $85, leaving $1,000 countable income.SSA then reduces your SSI by $500 ($1,000 ÷ 2).
✔ If your SSI check is $943/month, you would now receive $443 in SSI plus your work income.
How SSA Tracks Your Work Income
If you work while receiving SSI or SSDI, you must report your earnings every month.
How to Report Work Income to SSA
📲 Online: Log into your my Social Security account at SSA.gov
📞 By Phone: Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213
🏢 In Person: Visit your local Social Security office
💡 Failure to report work income can lead to overpayments and potential penalties.
What Happens If You Earn Over the Limit?
⚠️ If You Exceed the SSDI Work Limit ($1,550/month in 2024)
✔ SSA may suspend your SSDI benefits.
✔ You may qualify for a 3-year Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)—if your income drops below the SGA limit, SSDI can restart.
✔ After 3 years, if you continue working, SSDI benefits may be permanently stopped.
💡 If your condition worsens and you stop working, Expedited Reinstatement allows benefits to restart without a new application.
⚠️ If You Earn Too Much on SSI
✔ SSA will reduce your SSI check based on your earnings.
✔ If your countable income exceeds the federal SSI rate ($943/month in 2024), your benefits may stop.
✔ You may qualify for 1619(b) Medicaid continuation, meaning you keep Medicaid even if your SSI check stops.
💡 Even if SSI payments stop, you may not need to reapply if your income drops again.
Work Incentive Programs That Help You Keep Benefits While Working
If you want to work but are afraid of losing benefits, SSA offers work incentives to make the transition easier.
1. Trial Work Period (TWP) – SSDI Only
✔ Lets you test working for 9 months while still receiving SSDI.
✔ Only applies if you earn over $1,050 per month.
✔ After 9 months, SSA may review your case to determine continued eligibility.
2. Ticket to Work Program – SSI & SSDI
✔ Helps disability recipients find jobs without losing benefits immediately.
✔ Free employment services like job training and career counseling.
✔ If enrolled, SSA pauses medical disability reviews while you try to work.
💡 Sign up at ChooseWork.ssa.gov.
3. 1619(b) Medicaid Protection – SSI Only
✔ If you lose SSI due to earnings, you may keep Medicaid coverage if income stays below state limits.
✔ Most states allow SSI recipients to earn up to $60,000+ and still keep Medicaid.
💡 Check your state’s 1619(b) income limits here.
How to Work Part-Time Without Losing Your Disability Benefits
✔ Track your earnings carefully – Stay below SSA’s income limits.
✔ Use work incentives like Ticket to Work and the Trial Work Period.
✔ Report your wages on time to avoid overpayments.
✔ If you’re on SSI, use Medicaid 1619(b) to keep healthcare coverage.
💡 With proper planning, you can work part-time and keep your disability benefits.
How Purple Helps Manage Work & Disability Benefits
💜 Track Your SSI & SSDI Payments – Know when your disability check arrives.
💜 Monitor Work Earnings – Stay below SSA income limits.
💜 Receive Alerts for SSA Reporting Deadlines – Avoid benefit reductions.
💜 Find Work Incentive Programs – Explore Ticket to Work & 1619(b) benefits.
💡 With Purple, you can manage your income while keeping your disability benefits safe!
FAQs About Working While on Disability
Can I Work While on SSDI?
✔ Yes! You can earn up to $1,550/month ($2,590 if blind) before SSDI stops.
Can I Work While on SSI?
✔ Yes, but your SSI payment will be reduced once you earn over $85/month.
Do I Have to Report My Work Income?
✔ Yes! All wages must be reported to SSA monthly.
What If I Lose My Job After Trying to Work?
✔ SSDI has Expedited Reinstatement, meaning you can restart benefits without reapplying.
✔ SSI may allow you to re-qualify without filing a new application.
Conclusion: Yes, You Can Work While on Disability—Here’s How to Keep Your Benefits
✅ SSDI recipients can work part-time but must stay under the SGA limit.
✅ SSI recipients can work but will see reduced benefits as earnings increase.
✅ SSA offers work incentives to help you transition into employment.
✅ Track earnings carefully and report income to avoid overpayments.
✅ Use Purple to monitor work income & SSI/SSDI benefits!
💜 Sign Up for Purple to Manage Your Disability Benefits & Work Income!