Can I work while collecting SSDI in 2025? What's the monthly earnings limit?
I'm thinking about going back to work part-time, but I don't want to lose my SSDI benefits. Someone told me there's a limit on how much I can earn each month, but I'm getting mixed information online. Some sites say $1,470 and others say different amounts. Does anyone know what the EXACT earnings cap is for 2025? And what happens if I accidentally go over that amount one month? Do they cut off my benefits completely or is there some kind of grace period? Really appreciate any help!
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Carmen Lopez
Yes, you can work while receiving SSDI but there are strict limits. For 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals ($2,590 if you're legally blind). If you earn more than the SGA limit, SSA may determine you're no longer disabled. However, Social Security has work incentives that might help you: 1. Trial Work Period (TWP): You can test your ability to work for 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) while keeping full benefits, regardless of how much you earn. A TWP month in 2025 is any month you earn over $1,110. 2. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After your TWP, you get 36 months where benefits are reinstated for months your earnings fall below SGA. I'd recommend calling SSA directly to discuss your specific situation before starting work.
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Yuki Ito
•Thanks for the detailed info! I didn't know about the Trial Work Period. Does using those 9 months mean I lose my Medicare coverage too? And do the 9 months have to be used within a certain timeframe?
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Andre Dupont
i went over by $50 ONE TIME and they cut me off completely!!! had to reapply and wait 8 months with NO INCOME. the system is totally rigged against disabled people who want to work. be super careful and document EVERYTHING.
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QuantumQuasar
•That's not how it's supposed to work at all! If you only went over by $50 for one month, they shouldn't have terminated your benefits. Did you report your earnings properly? Sometimes these issues happen because of reporting errors. Did you appeal the decision?
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Zoe Papanikolaou
The other responses aren't quite complete. For SSDI in 2025, here's what you need to know: 1. SGA limit: $1,550/month for non-blind, $2,590 for blind individuals 2. Trial Work Period: 9 months (can be non-consecutive) where you can earn ANY amount while keeping full benefits. A TWP month counts when you earn more than $1,110 in 2025. After using all 9 TWP months, you enter... 3. Extended Period of Eligibility: 36-month period where benefits are automatically reinstated for any month earnings fall below SGA 4. Expedited Reinstatement: If your benefits end due to work, you have 5 years to request reinstatement without a new application if you can't work at SGA level 5. Continuation of Medicare: Even if cash benefits stop due to work, Medicare continues for at least 93 months after TWP Track your earnings carefully and report monthly to SSA. Uneven earnings (like occasional consulting) can complicate things.
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Jamal Wilson
•Wait so if I understand right, during the trial work period I could technically earn $5000 a month and still keep my full SSDI check? That seems too good to be true. Is there a catch I'm missing?
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Mei Lin
I've been trying to reach someone at SSA for THREE WEEKS to ask this exact question!!! They keep disconnecting me after 2+ hours on hold. This is driving me INSANE. I have a job offer but can't accept it until I know exactly how it affects my benefits. Why is this system so impossible to navigate??? Anyone know how to actually talk to a real person there??
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Liam Fitzgerald
•I had the same problem last month and finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in under 15 minutes! It basically calls SSA for you and holds your place in line, then calls you back when an agent picks up. Check out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Totally worth it for me because I needed to sort out my work limits situation fast. The agent I got was actually really helpful once I finally talked to someone.
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Andre Dupont
my cousin works and gets ssdi. he said theres some program where they dont count all your income. ticket to work maybe? not sure but worth looking into
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Carmen Lopez
•Your cousin is probably referring to either Ticket to Work (which provides free employment services) or work incentives like Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Subsidies/Special Conditions that can reduce countable income. These don't change the SGA amount but can help if your earnings are close to the limit. For example, if you earn $1,650 but have $150 in IRWEs, your countable income would be $1,500 - below the 2025 SGA limit.
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Yuki Ito
Thank you everyone for the helpful replies! I think I understand better now - I get 9 months where I can earn any amount, then after that I need to stay under $1,550 to keep benefits. I've scheduled a call with SSA through that Claimyr service someone mentioned to confirm everything before I accept this job. Really appreciate all the detailed explanations!
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Zoe Papanikolaou
•That's correct! One important thing to remember: those 9 Trial Work Period months don't have to be consecutive, but they do expire eventually. They count any month you earn over $1,110 (for 2025), and once you use all 9 months within a rolling 60-month period, your TWP is over. Good luck with your work opportunity!
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Mei-Ling Chen
Just wanted to add a couple of important points for anyone else reading this thread: 1. **Report earnings immediately** - Don't wait until the end of the year! SSA requires you to report any work activity within 10 days of starting work, and then report monthly earnings by the 6th of the following month. Late reporting can cause overpayments that you'll have to pay back. 2. **Keep detailed records** - Track every paycheck, work expense, and any correspondence with SSA. If there's ever a dispute about your earnings or work status, having documentation is crucial. 3. **Consider getting help** - If your work situation is complicated (like irregular hours, self-employment, or multiple income sources), consider working with a disability advocate or attorney who specializes in SSA work incentives. The initial consultation is often free. The work incentives are really designed to help people transition back to work gradually, but the key is understanding and following the rules precisely. Good luck to everyone trying to get back into the workforce!
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NightOwl42
•This is really helpful advice! I'm new to this whole process and didn't realize how strict the reporting requirements were. Quick question - when you say "report monthly earnings by the 6th of the following month," does that mean I need to call SSA every single month, or is there an online portal where I can submit this information? Also, do work expenses like transportation to/from work count as deductible expenses that could reduce my countable income?
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