Can I work part-time on SSDI without losing benefits? Need Social Security income limits clarified

The key term you need to know about is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). For 2025, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (non-blind) without affecting your SSDI benefits. There's no specific hour limit - it's based on earnings. But be careful, because Social Security looks at more than just your paycheck. They consider if the work itself demonstrates an ability to do SGA. You should also know about the Trial Work Period (TWP). This lets you test your ability to work for 9 months while keeping your full benefits, regardless of how much you earn. These months don't have to be consecutive. In 2025, any month you earn more than $1,110 counts as a TWP month. After your TWP, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility where your benefits can be reinstated if your earnings drop below SGA.

i tried working part time at walmart last year and it was a NIGHTMARE with social security!!!! they cut my benefits off completely even tho i only made like $900 a month!!!! took me 4 months to get them back and i almost got evicted. be REALLY careful!!!!!

I work as a benefits counselor, and I strongly recommend you connect with a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program before you start working. They provide free benefits counseling specifically for people on SSDI/SSI who want to work. A few critical points: 1. You MUST report your work activity to Social Security as soon as you start, not just when you exceed the limits. Failure to report can result in overpayments you'll have to pay back. 2. The Trial Work Period (TWP) is indeed 9 months where you can earn any amount without affecting benefits, but those months can be scattered over a 60-month rolling period. 3. After TWP, during the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), your benefits are suspended in months you earn over SGA ($1,550 in 2025), but automatically reinstated in months you earn under SGA. 4. If your SSDI stops due to work, you have 5 years of Expedited Reinstatement rights if your condition worsens and you need to go back on benefits. The SSA's Ticket to Work website (choosework.ssa.gov) has good resources, but speaking with a WIPA counselor is best for your specific situation.

I worked part time while on SSDI for about 2 years. Made sure I stayed under the SGA limit. You definitely need to report your work activity right away - don't wait! You can do it by calling your local office or the main number, but good luck getting through...

My brother gets SSDI and he works at the movie theater like 12hrs a week. He said as long as he keeps it under $1000 a month he's fine. But idk if that's right cuz he's always confused about this stuff lol

I've been on SSDI for 7 years now and tried working part-time twice. Let me tell you the REAL deal with this system. They SAY you can work part-time but they make it IMPOSSIBLE to navigate!! Every rep tells you something different! And if you make even $1 over their magic number, BAM! benefits cut! I lost my benefits for 8 months because of a paperwork error THEY made - not me! And they had the nerve to say I owed them $12,000 in overpayments!!! Had to get a lawyer to fix it. The whole "trial work period" thing is a TRAP. Once those 9 months are up, you're in dangerous territory. And those months don't expire - they stay on your record FOREVER. If you absolutely need to work, document EVERYTHING. Keep copies of EVERY pay stub, EVERY report you submit, names of EVERY person you talk to. You'll need it when they inevitably screw something up.

Here's a practical approach I recommend to my clients: 1. Before starting work, request a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from Social Security. This shows your current status and how many TWP months you've used. 2. Report your work activity using the SSA-821 form (Work Activity Report). Do this as soon as you start working, even if earnings are below all thresholds. 3. Keep your reported income consistent across SSA reports, paystubs, and tax returns. 4. After reporting initial work activity, continue reporting monthly by calling your local office or through my Social Security online account. 5. Request a receipt or confirmation number for EVERY report you make. 6. If possible, maintain earnings at least 10% below the SGA limit ($1,395 instead of $1,550) to provide a safety margin. 7. Keep a work activity journal documenting hours, accommodations needed, and days missed due to your condition. While the fear of losing benefits is understandable, many people successfully work part-time while maintaining SSDI. The key is careful documentation and prompt reporting.

has anyone actually used the ticket to work program? my ssdi caseworker mentioned it but i dont really understand what it is or if it would help me

wait im confused. is ssdi different from ssi??? i thought they were the same thing. i get ssi and they told me i can only have like $2000 in my bank account and every dollar i earn reduces my payment

To answer your specific questions about reporting work: 1. You can download the SSA-821 (Work Activity Report) at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-821.pdf 2. You should report work activity BEFORE you start working if possible, or immediately when you begin. 3. Options for reporting include: - Calling the main SSA number (but prepare for long waits) - Visiting your local office (make an appointment first) - Faxing the completed SSA-821 to your local office - Using your my Social Security online account (limited functionality) - Mailing the form (not recommended - too slow and things get lost) 4. For ongoing reporting after initial notification, monthly wage reporting is best. Keep in mind that SSA is very backlogged, so even if you report correctly, they may not process your report immediately. This can lead to overpayments if they continue paying full benefits while you're earning over SGA after your TWP. This is why documentation of your reporting is critical.

Just want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you do decide to work, make sure your employer understands your disability and any accommodations you might need. Under the ADA, they're required to provide reasonable accommodations as long as it doesn't cause undue hardship to the business. Also, keep detailed records of how work affects your health condition. If your symptoms worsen or you need to reduce hours/stop working, this documentation will be crucial if you need to request benefit reinstatement or prove that your condition hasn't improved. One more tip: consider starting with temporary or seasonal work if possible. This gives you a chance to test how your body handles working without committing to a permanent position. Places like tax preparation services, retail during holidays, or event staffing can be good options for limited-time work while you figure out what you can handle. The anxiety about potentially losing benefits is totally understandable, but with proper planning and documentation, many people successfully work part-time while maintaining their SSDI safety net.

I've been working part-time while on SSDI for the past year and wanted to share my experience to hopefully help ease some of your anxiety. Like you, I was terrified of losing my benefits, but it's actually been manageable with the right approach. Here's what worked for me: 1. I contacted a WIPA counselor BEFORE I started looking for work (as PixelWarrior mentioned). They walked me through my specific situation and helped me understand exactly where I stood with my Trial Work Period months. 2. I found a very understanding employer who was willing to work with my limitations and keep my hours consistent so I could stay well under the SGA limit. 3. I set up a simple spreadsheet to track my monthly earnings, hours worked, and any symptoms/bad days. This has been invaluable for my own peace of mind and documentation. 4. I report my wages religiously every month, even when they're the same amount. Better to over-communicate than under-communicate with SSA. The extra income has made such a difference in my quality of life, and I still have my SSDI as a safety net. Yes, the system is confusing and sometimes frustrating, but it IS possible to work part-time successfully while maintaining your benefits if you're careful and proactive about following the rules. Don't let fear keep you trapped at home if you think you can handle some work. Just do your homework first and document everything!