Do I need to call Social Security to report part-time work with SSDI or can I use the wage reporting app?

You're definitely right to report your work activity! For SSDI recipients, you can absolutely use the SSA wage reporting app (it's called myWageReport). It's actually much more efficient than calling. Just make sure you report by the 6th of the month after you start working. Since you're earning $950/month and that's below the 2025 SGA limit of $1,550/month for non-blind individuals, your benefits shouldn't be affected. You're still in your Trial Work Period though, so each month you earn over $1,110 (2025 TWP amount) counts as a Trial Work month. You get 9 of these months in a rolling 60-month period. Just keep all your pay stubs as documentation in case there are any questions later!

ya i use the app its way easier than calling. just download mywagereport from app store. takes like 5 min

DON'T TRUST THE APP!!! I used it last year and they still cut off my benefits claiming I never reported!! Had to wait 3 MONTHS to get my money back while they "investigated" even though I had screenshots proving I reported!! ALWAYS CALL AND GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER!! The SSA system is BROKEN and they will make YOU pay for THEIR mistakes!!!

Congrats on the job! I was on SSDI for 3 years before going back to work part time too. It really helped with my depression just to get out of the house a few days a week.

Both methods work but there's pros and cons. The app is convenient but doesn't give you a chance to ask questions. When I started working part-time last year, I actually wanted to understand how it would affect my Medicare coverage going forward, so I needed to speak with a representative. If you do need to call them, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was worth it for me because I had several questions about my specific situation that the app couldn't answer. But if you just need to report wages and understand the rules already, the app works fine!

I think people are confusing SSI and SSDI reporting requirements here. For SSDI, you're required to report when you START working, when you STOP working, or if your duties/hours/pay CHANGE significantly. You don't technically have to report every single month for SSDI like you do with SSI. However, during your Trial Work Period, it's good practice to report monthly so SSA can accurately track which months count toward your 9 TWP months. Any month you earn over $1,110 (2025 figure) counts as a TWP month. Also worth noting - even after your TWP ends, you'll have an Extended Period of Eligibility for 36 months where benefits can be reinstated if your earnings drop below SGA without a new application.

does anyone know if the bookstore job would count as sedentary work or light work? I'm on disability too but my condition means I can only do sedentary work and I was thinking about applying at Barnes & Noble

just curious what kinda health condition lets u work at a bookstore but still get disability? not judging just wondering how that works

One important thing to remember - keep good records of everything related to your work activity! Save all pay stubs, keep a log of hours worked, and maintain copies of all communication with SSA (including confirmation numbers from the app). If there's ever a question about your reporting or benefits, having documentation will make resolving issues much easier. Also, if your income varies month to month, it's especially important to report accurately. The consequences of not reporting can include overpayments that you'll have to pay back, so it's always better to over-report than under-report.

Great to see everyone sharing such helpful information! Just wanted to add one more resource that might be useful - SSA's "Red Book" (available on their website) has detailed information about work incentives for SSDI recipients. It explains all the terms people have mentioned here like Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, and Substantial Gainful Activity in plain language. Also, if you're ever unsure about anything related to working while on SSDI, many states have Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs that provide free counseling to help you understand how work affects your benefits. They can be really helpful for planning your return to work and avoiding any surprises. Good luck with your new job - it sounds like you're taking all the right steps to stay compliant while taking care of your health!