The Trial Work Period is one of SSDI's best work incentives. It lets you work for 9 months while receiving full disability benefits, no matter how much you earn. Here's how it works.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What the Trial Work Period is
- How it counts months
- What happens after
- Using it strategically
1. What the Trial Work Period Is
The basics:
- Test your ability to work
- 9 months to try working
- Keep full SSDI benefits
- No matter how much you earn
Why it exists:
- Encourages work attempts
- Reduces fear of trying
- No risk during trial
- See if work is sustainable
How it helps:
- Earn unlimited amount
- Keep full SSDI check
- Learn about your capabilities
- Decide if work is viable
Example:
- You earn $3,000/month during TWP
- Full SSDI of $1,800 continues
- Total income: $4,800/month
- For up to 9 months
2. How It Counts Months
TWP month threshold (2026):
- $1,110 in gross earnings, OR
- 80+ hours of self-employment
- Earning over this = TWP month used
- Under this = TWP month not used
The 9 months:
- Don't have to be consecutive
- Count over a rolling 60-month period
- Once used, used forever
- Only get one TWP
Examples of counting:
- January: Earn $2,000 (month 1)
- February: Earn $800 (not counted, under threshold)
- March: Earn $1,500 (month 2)
- April: Not working (not counted)
- May: Earn $1,200 (month 3)
- ...continues until 9 TWP months used
What doesn't count:
- Months under the threshold
- Months when not working
- Months before SSDI started
- Months when you're over 65 (some exceptions)
Important: The TWP gives you 9 months—use them wisely. You only get one Trial Work Period per period of disability.
3. What Happens After
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE):
- 36 months after TWP ends
- Benefits paid when earnings under SGA
- Benefits suspended when over SGA
- Easy reinstatement
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA):
- $1,550/month in 2026
- After TWP, SGA matters
- Earn over SGA = benefits suspended
- Earn under SGA = benefits continue
During EPE:
- Your SSDI isn't terminated
- Just suspended if over SGA
- Work drops below SGA = benefits resume
- No reapplication needed
After EPE:
- If earning over SGA, benefits end
- But Expedited Reinstatement available
- For 5 years after benefits end
- Can restart if work stops
Example timeline:
- TWP months 1-9 (full benefits, any earnings)
- EPE months 1-36 (benefits when under SGA)
- After EPE: Benefits continue or end based on SGA
- Expedited Reinstatement: 5-year safety net
4. Using It Strategically
Planning considerations:
- TWP is limited (9 months)
- Use for serious work attempts
- Don't "waste" on temporary gigs
- Think long-term
Good uses of TWP:
- Testing a new job
- Starting a career
- Serious work attempt
- When you think work might be sustainable
Not ideal uses:
- One-time extra income
- Seasonal work you know will end
- When you know work won't last
- Uses up precious TWP months
Combine with other incentives:
- IRWE to reduce countable earnings after TWP
- Ticket to Work for support
- PASS for career development
- Layer protections
Tracking Your TWP
How to know your status:
- Contact SSA
- Check work report status
- Track your own months
- Don't rely solely on SSA tracking
Keep records:
- Pay stubs
- Hours worked
- Monthly earnings
- Self-employment income/hours
Report your work:
- Tell SSA when you start working
- Submit pay information
- Don't hide employment
- Protects you from overpayments
Medicare During Work
Good news:
- Medicare continues during TWP
- Continues during EPE
- Continues at least 93 months after TWP
- Extended Medicare protection
Why this matters:
- Healthcare while working
- No rush to get employer insurance
- Safety net
- Major work incentive benefit
How Purple Helps
Purple supports your work journey:
- Track earnings alongside SSDI
- Monitor monthly amounts
- Keep clear records
- Easy documentation
- See full financial picture