Can I work part-time sitting jobs while receiving SSDI benefits? Confused about income limits

Don't put the cart before the horse. First, you need to actually qualify for SSDI which is not easy. SSA denies about 65% of initial applications, and the process can take 6-24 months depending on appeals. You need to prove you have a medical condition that prevents you from performing ANY substantial gainful activity (SGA), not just your previous construction job. To directly answer your question though: In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550/month for non-blind individuals. If you earn more than that, SSA considers you able to engage in SGA and you won't qualify for or maintain SSDI. There are work incentive programs like Trial Work Period (TWP) and Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) that let you test your ability to work while still receiving benefits under certain conditions.

i was in the same boat in 2023, back injury from years of warehouse work. got approved for SSDI after 8 months and 1 appeal. now i work part time at a call center (20hrs/week) and still get my SSDI. just make sure you stay under the SGA limit the other person mentioned

You should know about the Trial Work Period (TWP) that SSDI offers. You get 9 months (don't have to be consecutive) where you can earn ANY amount without affecting your benefits. In 2025, any month you earn over $1,110 counts as a TWP month. After you use all 9 TWP months, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility where your benefits are suspended in months you earn over SGA ($1,550) but automatically reinstated in months you earn under it. This is designed exactly for situations like yours where someone wants to test their ability to work. Many people with back issues find that even sedentary jobs can be problematic long-term, so this gives you a safety net.

DON'T EVEN BOTHER APPLYING!!!! I wasted 2 YEARS trying to get SSDI with a similar back condition and got DENIED TWICE!!! Then they told me I could "just find a desk job" even though sitting for more than 20 minutes causes EXTREME pain. These people DON'T CARE about us. The whole system is designed to DENY benefits until you either give up or DIE waiting!!!

my mom gets ssdi and works part time at library. they let her switch positions and she only does like 15hrs a week. seems to work ok for her

One thing no one has mentioned is that if you do get approved for SSDI, you'll qualify for Medicare after 24 months on benefits regardless of your age. This can be HUGE if you have ongoing medical needs for your back condition. If you find a part-time job that doesn't offer health insurance, keeping your SSDI under the SGA limit might be worth it for the Medicare coverage alone. I've been on SSDI for 3 years for a different condition, and honestly, the Medicare has been more valuable than the monthly cash benefit in my situation. Just something else to consider in your planning.

I noticed a few people mentioned the difficulty getting through to SSA when applying or reporting wages. I've found that using Claimyr (claimyr.com) has been a game-changer for getting through to actual SSA representatives. Instead of spending hours on hold or getting disconnected, they get you through to an agent usually within 30 minutes. I used it when I needed to report my work activity and again when I had questions about my Trial Work Period. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

Something important to understand: SSDI isn't just about not being able to do your previous job - it's about being unable to perform ANY substantial gainful activity. When evaluating your claim, SSA will assess your "residual functional capacity" (RFC) - what you CAN do despite your limitations. If your medical evidence only shows you can't do construction but could handle sedentary work, and SSA determines you have transferable skills to sedentary jobs that exist in significant numbers, you likely won't be approved initially. However, if your condition truly prevents even sustained sedentary work (need to change positions frequently, take unscheduled breaks, limited sitting tolerance, inability to maintain concentration due to pain, etc.), then you should apply with thorough documentation of these limitations. Your doctors' opinions about specific functional limitations are crucial here.

And another thing - if your application gets rejected (which it probably will the first time), APPEAL IMMEDIATELY! Don't make my mistake of waiting too long or filing a new application. The appeals process is how most people eventually get approved.

Regarding sedentary work while on SSDI - there are also programs specifically designed to help SSDI beneficiaries return to work if they're able. The Ticket to Work program provides free employment support services and protection against medical Continuing Disability Reviews while you're participating. Depending on your situation, this might be a good option to explore after you're approved for benefits. You can test your work ability with various supports in place. Look into Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) services in your area for personalized guidance on how working might affect your benefits.