Why You Might Be Losing Your SSDI Without Even Realizing It

Every month, thousands of people with disabilities lose their SSDI benefits - not because they’re ineligible, but because they didn’t know the rules.

If you’re receiving SSDI and working, even part-time, you need to understand how much income is too much - and what happens when you cross the line.

The Hidden Risk of Working While on SSDI

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is meant to support people who are unable to work full-time. But it also includes work incentives - and strict limits.

If you earn more than a certain amount, the SSA may assume you’re no longer disabled under their rules. The limit in 2025 is:

• $1,620 per month if you’re not blind

• $2,700 per month if you’re blind

Go over these amounts, and your benefits may stop - even if the work was temporary.

What About Trial Work Periods?

SSDI includes something called a Trial Work Period (TWP), which lets you test working without immediately losing your benefits.

Here’s how it works:

• You get 9 trial months (not necessarily in a row)

• Any month where you earn more than $1,160 counts as a TWP month in 2025

• After the 9-month period, SSA can evaluate your earnings and may stop benefits if you’re consistently over the SGA limit

Many people don’t realize they’ve triggered a trial work period — and by the time SSA contacts them, it’s too late to fix.

Why This Can Lead to Overpayments

Even if you’re eligible for SSDI, SSA may continue paying benefits while they review your case - then send you a bill later.

This is called an overpayment. You could owe thousands of dollars in back benefits simply because you didn’t track your income carefully or notify SSA on time.

How Purple Can Help

Purple was built to help people on benefits avoid surprises and stay in control of their finances. With Purple, you can:

• Track your monthly income in real time

• Set alerts if you’re getting close to SSA income thresholds

• Store paystubs and wage reports to simplify communication with SSA

• Receive Social Security disability benefits, which may arrive up to 4 days early¹

• Get other direct deposits, like paychecks, which may arrive up to 2 days early¹

Get started today at withpurple.com

Purple is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by OMB Bank, Member FDIC. The Purple Mastercard® Debit Card is issued by OMB Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license from Mastercard.

¹ Early access is not guaranteed, depends on payer timing, and standard processing times may apply. We generally make funds available on the day we receive the payment file, which may be up to 4 days early for government benefits like SSI or SSDI, and up to 2 days early for other deposits. Early access is available at no additional cost.