CAN YOU WORK PART-TIME & STILL GET SSD BENEFITS?

PART-TIME WORK AND IT’S IMPACT ON YOUR DISABILITY BENEFITS

At Cannon Disability Law, many of our clients ask the same important question: Can I work part-time and still keep my Social Security disability benefits? The answer depends on the type of benefits you receive—SSDI or SSI. Each benefit program has different rules, and understanding those rules is key to protecting your income and your health. We can help you understand your options.

However, the following information only applies to those who are already getting paid benefits. It does NOT apply to those who are waiting for a decision from the SSA.

Therefore, if your are getting a monthly SSD check and are thinking about working while on benefits, then it is crucial to know how earnings could impact your benefits. If you earn too much or work in the wrong way, then you could lose your monthly check. That’s why it’s always a good idea to call your attorney before returning to work, even on a part-time basis.

Most people want to know whether or not they can try to work and still receive their disability benefits. The usual reason for asking this question is that for most people, disability benefits are not enough money to pay the bills.

TWO SSA BENEFITS FOR WHICH YOU CAN FILE AN APPLICATION

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two kinds of disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs are different in many ways and the way they handle part-time work is also different.

If you are already getting SSD benefits, it means the SSA found you qualify for benefits under their five step review process. The SSA will pay you one or both of the following benefits:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):  

SSDI benefits are for people who have worked in the past and paid taxes into the Social Security system. To get SSDI, you must have enough work credits. Learn about work credits and SSD benefits. A work credit is an amount of taxable income. You can earn up to 4 work credits per year. The amount of work credits you will need to get SSDI benefits depends on how old you are when you apply. If you haven’t earned enough work credits at the time you apply, then you will only be able to file for SSI benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):  

SSI is a needs based program. It helps people who have little or no income and very limited assets. SSI is often used by people who haven’t worked or who are too young or too old to have earned work credits. Even if you are disabled, you cannot get SSI benefits if your income or resources are too high. The SSA will also count the income of a spouse, partner, or anyone else who supports you. If someone you live with pays your bills or gives you money, then that could keep you from getting SSI benefits.

You cannot get SSI benefits, no matter how severe your medical condition, if you do not meet the income and asset rules for SSI. Because the SSI program is resource based, work at any level once you are on benefits will impact your money.

HOW DOES PART-TIME WORK IMPACT SSDI BENEFITS?

If you’re getting SSDI benefits, the SSA has a limit on how much you can earn and still be considered “disabled.”

The SSA calls this limit Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). The SSA defines SGA as the amount of work and earnings that you can perform despite your disability.

As of 2025, the SSA considers an individual working at or above the SGA limit to be able to work. Therefore, once you reach the SGA limit, you are no longer eligible for SSDI benefits.

In 2025, for non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA limit is $1,620. For blind individuals, the SGA limit is $2,700 per month. If your earnings exceed these limits, even by one dollar, then the SSA may review your disability status. They can then determine that you are no longer qualify for SSDI benefits.

Most people who are on SSDI benefits do not want to work a on a full-time basis. Instead, they want to know if they can keep their benefits and try to work 10 or 20 hours a week. As a general rule, if you earn more than the SGA amount, then you will no longer qualify for SSDI benefits.

However, you need to be aware that even if your income from part-time work is below the SGA threshold, the SSA will still review your case to confirm that you continue to meet the SSA’s definition of disability.

If you start to work, even for a few hours a week, then the SSA may review your case. They can decide that you can work 40 hours a week, even with your medical condition. If the SSA decides that your medical condition has improved, then they can cut off your benefits . It is usually a work attempt that triggers the SSA’s investigation into your ability to work.

THE RULES FOR SSI BENEFITS & SSDI BENEFITS ARE DIFFERENT

For those getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the rules regarding work are different than those that govern SSDI benefits.

Unlike SSDI, the SSA will reduce your SSI benefits based on the amount of income you earn. If you earn income from part-time work, then that income will be lower your monthly SSI benefit amount.

Under SSI rules, the SSA applies a formula to determine how much of your income will be count against your monthly SSI payment. The SSA excludes the first $65 of your monthly earnings. After that, they count only half of the remaining earnings.

For example, if you work part-time and earn $1,000 per month, the SSA will first exclude the first $65, which leaves $935. They will then count half of that amount, or $467.50, as income. This means your SSI benefit will be reduced by $467.50 for that month.

The SSA’s formula means that part-time work won’t automatically result in the loss of SSI benefits. But, it will certainly reduce the amount you receive.

It is important to keep in mind that the SSA reviews your SSI benefits to confirm that your income meets the rules. If your income from part-time work exceeds the SSI income limits, then the SSA will cease your benefits.

DOES A TRIAL WORK PERIOD INCLUDE PART-TIME WORK?

If you believe that you can return to work and you want to try it, then you can start a trial work period. A trial work period is a nine month period of time during a 5 year rolling period. During the 5 year period, you can try to “work” and still receive SSDI benefits. When you work during a trial work period, you can earn as much money as you want. You can also work as many hours as you want to work. Find out about SSA’s trial work period. However, remember that the trial work does not apply to you if you are getting SSI benefits.

The SSA does not consider work during the trial work period as evidence that your disability has ended. They won’t take you off benefits until you have worked for at least 9 months (not consecutive) in a rolling 60 month period.

You are working or doing “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) if you make greater than $1,620 per month in 2025. In 2025, the amount for SGA is $2,700 if you are blind.

However, what most people don’t know is that the amount of money that triggers a trial work period is less than SGA.  In 2025, a trial work period will begin if you earn more than $1160 in a month. That amount of money is far below the SGA amount. Most people think if their earnings are not higher than SGA, which is $1620 per month, then they are safe. That is not true.

If you try to return to work in 2025 and you earn more than $1160 gross, then the SSA considers that month one of your nine trial work months.

DOES SELF-EMPLOYMENT COUNT AS WORK?

If you are self employed, then the trial work period comes into play if you work more 80 hours in a month, regardless of your earnings. Please remember that the amount that triggers a trial work period is different than the SGA amount.

Additionally, all the amounts of money that appear in this article are gross amounts. That means prior to taxes being taken out. It isn’t your take home pay (after taxes) that counts. Instead, the SSA counts the whole amount you earn. That means before taxes come out.

The SSA and the IRS consider you self employed anytime you make money, but are not an employee of the person who pays you. This means that doing any work where you are paid and taxes are not taken out by an employer, can be self employment. For example, if a neighbor pays you for mowing their lawn, then you are self employed. Or, if you start providing services as an independent contractor, then you are also self employed.

THE THREE TESTS THE SSA USES TO DETERMINE IF YOUR WORK IS SGA

When you are self employed, the SSA will use a different method to determine if your work is SGA. For business owners, consultants, and gig workers, the SSA uses the following “three tests” to determine if you work is SGA:

TEST NUMBER ONE: SIGNIFICANT SERVICES & SUBSTANTIAL INCOME TEST

The SSA uses the significant services and substantial income test to examine your income. If your average income is more than SGA, then you won’t qualify for disability benefits. Additionally, if you are making close to the same amount that you did before, then you likely won’t qualify. The SSA will compare your current income to that of members of your community who run similar businesses. If you’re earning less, then you should pass this test.

TEST NUMBER TWO: THE COMPARABILITY TEST

Another test the SSA uses is the comparability test. This test gauges whether the work you do for your business is comparable to the work done by an unimpaired person. However, the SSA will compare your business to a similar kind of business in your community.

TEST NUMBER THREE: THE WORTH OF WORK TEST

The final test is the worth of work test. This test examines how much the work you do for your business is worth. The SSA will consider how much value your work brings to your business. They will also consider what it would cost to pay someone else to do the work. If the work you do is worth more than the SGA limit, then you won’t qualify for disability benefits.

If your self employment work passes all three of these tests, the SSA won’t consider your work as SGA.

WILL WORKING IN A SHELTERED JOB END YOUR DISABILITY BENEFITS?

There are certain exceptions to the SGA rule for those who are getting SSDI benefits. In some cases, the SSA won’t consider income from part time work as SGA.

Additionally, if you’re working in a sheltered job or supported work environment, then your earnings may not count toward SGA. A sheltered job is one where the employer gives you accommodations for your disability. For example, an employer may let you leave one hour early every day because of leg pain. Or, your employer may give you three extra breaks during the work day. These are things the employer does for you that they are not doing for their other employees.

If your employer is giving you these accommodations, then your work may be sheltered.

If the SSA ceases your benefits after you return to work, but later your medical condition gets worse and you can work. Then, you can get back on SSD benefits. You can do so without going through the whole application process. You simply need to request “expedited reinstatement” of SSDI benefits.

This option provides a safety net for those who are able to work but later experience a relapse of their condition.

YOU MUST REPORT ANY WORK YOU DO TO THE SSA

It is important to understand when the months you work count as part of a trial work period. If you think you can go back to work, then do it. Just know, if you are getting SSDI payments, then you must report any work you do to the SSA. Even if you work from home or for yourself, you still need to report your earnings. Additionally, be careful not to get benefits when your trial work period ends.

Finally, do not rely on the SSA to inform you when your trial work period ends. Chances are they will not notice right away that you continue to work and get a benefit check after your trial work period ends. If you are not eligible for the benefits because of work and you spend your benefit check, the SSA won’t care. They will require you to pay it all back. So, keep track of your trial work period and ask to be taken off benefits when it ends.

MAKE A DECISION ABOUT PART-TIME WORK KNOWING ALL THE FACTORS

If you cannot work, then our SSD law firm can help you apply for benefits. Also, we can help you appeal an SSA denial. Additionally, we will represent you in court at your SSA hearing. We also prepare you to testify in court. Once we win your benefits, then we make sure the SSA pays them to you.

The decision to work part time while getting SSD benefits is a personal one. Make sure you understand all of the factors that come into play. Realize that if you try to work it can jeopardize your benefits. Working a little bit is usually seen by the SSA as evidence that you can return to work. They see your ability to do part time work as evidence of improvement in your medical conditions.

However, if you are on SSDI or SSI benefits and wish to work, then keep track of your income. You must report income to the SSA to avoid a potential overpayment.

OUR LAW FIRM CAN HELP YOU WIN YOUR SSD BENEFITS

If the SSA doesn’t ward benefits, then make sure you appeal. If necessary, we can appeal your case to the Appeals Council. Find out about your chances at the Appeals Council. Likewise, we file appeals in Federal Court. Also, we can represent you where you live. For example, we can represent you if need an SSD attorney in Utah or Nevada. Additionally, we can help you if you live in Idaho, Colorado, or California.

Learn about filing for SSDI and SSI benefits in the following states:

• SSD benefits in Utah
• SSD benefits in Nevada
• SSD benefits in California
• SSD benefits in Idaho
• SSD benefits in Colorado

If you are trying to learn about a trial work period, then do not confuse it with an “unsuccessful work attempt.” The SSA defines those two things very differently. Learn about unsuccessful work attempts. Also, find out how to win past due SSD benefits.

Your ability to receive Medicaid and Medicare depends upon whether or not you are successful with your SSD claim. Review information about Medicaid benefits. Also, learn information about Medicare benefits.

WE CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND PART-TIME WORK & SSD BENEFITS

Our SSD law firm has helped thousands of clients win and keep their SSDI and SSI benefits.

You need an attorney with experience. Hire us. Dianna Cannon has been helping people win benefits for over thirty years. Brett Bunkall and Andria Summers also have many years of legal experience. Learn additional information on our About Us page.

Together, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI hearings. You can trust us to help you. We will do everything we can to win your SSDI and SSI benefits.

Once you are on SSDI benefits, you need to know your options before trying to work. Most people should only try to return to work if they believe they will be able to work for the long term. Before you trigger a trial work period, call your lawyer. Your lawyer can explain how to avoid problems with the SSA.

There are not many severe medical conditions from which you can recover. But, it does happen. New treatments and medications can help you recover. It is also possible for people to recover after accidents. Think about breaking your legs in a car accident.  Due to pain, you may not be able to work for a few years. But, over time, your pain eases. Then, you might be able to work again.

If you do want to try to work, then call your attorney before you start working. We can explain your options to you before you try to return to work. Call us. We will explain how a trial work period works.