You can work while receiving disability benefits—and work incentives help protect your benefits during the transition. Here's how it works.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Working with SSI
- Working with SSDI
- Work incentives
- Protecting your benefits
1. Working with SSI
How earnings affect SSI:
- First $65 not counted
- Plus $20 general exclusion
- Then half of remaining counted
- Reduces SSI payment
Example:
- Earn $500/month
- -$65 (work exclusion)
- -$20 (general exclusion)
- = $415 counted
- ÷ 2 = $207.50 reduction
You still come out ahead:
- Total income increases
- Never lose dollar for dollar
- Working always pays
- Gradual reduction
When SSI stops:
- When countable income too high
- But 1619(b) protects Medicaid
- Can return to SSI easily
- Safety net remains
Important: On SSI, you always keep more money by working than by not working. The system is designed to make work pay.
2. Working with SSDI
Trial Work Period (TWP):
- 9 months (not consecutive)
- Earn any amount
- Keep full SSDI
- Test your ability
2026 TWP month:
- Any month you earn over $1,160
- Counts toward 9 months
- Within 60-month window
- Full benefits continue
After TWP:
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
- 36 months
- SGA limit applies ($1,620)
- Benefits stop if over SGA
Expedited reinstatement:
- If benefits stopped
- Work doesn't work out
- Can restart within 5 years
- Quick reinstatement
3. Work Incentives
For SSI:
- Student Earned Income Exclusion
- PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support)
- IRWE (Impairment-Related Work Expenses)
- Blind Work Expenses
For SSDI:
- Trial Work Period
- Extended Period of Eligibility
- Expedited Reinstatement
- IRWE deductions
- Subsidy and special conditions
For both:
- Ticket to Work program
- Continued Medicaid/Medicare
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- WIPA counselors (free help)
Getting help:
- WIPA (Work Incentives Planning)
- Free benefit counseling
- Understand your situation
- Plan before starting
4. Protecting Your Benefits
Before starting work:
- Talk to WIPA counselor
- Understand impact
- Plan for changes
- Know the rules
While working:
- Report earnings promptly
- Keep pay stubs
- Track work incentive months
- Monitor benefits
Common concerns:
- "Will I lose Medicaid?" (Usually no)
- "Will I lose all benefits?" (Gradual)
- "Can I go back?" (Yes)
- "Is it worth it?" (Often yes)
Safety nets:
- 1619(b) for SSI Medicaid
- EPE for SSDI
- Expedited reinstatement
- System supports transition
Making Work Work
Starting slowly:
- Part-time often best
- Build up gradually
- Test your capacity
- Use trial work period
Tracking everything:
- Hours worked
- Earnings each month
- Work expenses
- Accommodations used
Planning ahead:
- What if health changes?
- What if job ends?
- Build savings (ABLE)
- Know return path
Resources:
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Ticket to Work
- Job accommodations
- WIPA counselors
How Purple Helps
Purple supports your work journey:
- Track earnings alongside benefits
- See total income picture
- Monitor SSI balance
- Easy record keeping
- Manage transition