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!

As someone who recently went through a similar situation, I can confirm that the myWageReport app works well! I was nervous about using it at first too, but it's actually pretty straightforward. Just make sure you have your SSN and employer info handy when you set it up. One thing I wish I had known earlier - you can also check your reporting history through the app, which is really helpful for keeping track of what you've already submitted. And like others mentioned, definitely save those confirmation numbers! Since you're earning $950/month, you're in a good spot - well below both the SGA and TWP thresholds. Just remember that if your hours or pay increase later, you'll want to report those changes too. Sounds like you're being really responsible about this whole process, which is awesome to see!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been on SSDI for about 2 years now. I actually started with the phone route when I first began working part-time, but switched to the app after getting frustrated with hold times. The app really is much more user-friendly than I expected! One tip I learned the hard way - make sure your employer information is entered exactly as it appears on your paystubs. I had a small mismatch in the business name (used the shortened version instead of the full legal name) and it caused some confusion that took a few weeks to sort out. Nothing major, but just something to be aware of. Also, since you mentioned anxiety about the whole process - the app actually helped reduce my stress because I could report at my own pace without feeling rushed like I sometimes do on phone calls. You're doing great by being proactive about this!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might be helpful - if you're concerned about keeping track of your wage reporting, consider setting up a simple spreadsheet or calendar reminder system. I track the date I submit through the app, the confirmation number, my gross earnings for that month, and hours worked. It only takes a few minutes each month but gives me peace of mind knowing I have everything documented. Plus, if you ever need to reference your work history for any reason (like if your condition changes and you need to modify your work arrangement), having that record is really valuable. The fact that you're asking these questions and being so thoughtful about the process shows you're going to do just fine. Working part-time while managing a chronic condition isn't easy, but it sounds like you've found a good balance with supportive employers. Best of luck with everything!

I just wanted to say how refreshing it is to see such a supportive and informative discussion! As someone who's been on SSDI for about a year now, I've been hesitant to explore part-time work options because the reporting requirements seemed so confusing. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has really clarified things for me. The distinction between SSDI and SSI reporting that Zainab mentioned was especially helpful - I had been assuming I'd need to report every single penny every month like I've seen mentioned in SSI discussions. And the tips about keeping detailed records and using the myWageReport app give me confidence that I could handle this properly if I decide to try some part-time work in the future. Dylan, congratulations on taking that step back into the workforce! It takes courage to try working again when you're managing a chronic condition. I hope the bookstore continues to be a positive experience for both your mental health and your overall well-being.

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread to read through! I'm also on SSDI and have been considering part-time work but felt overwhelmed by all the reporting requirements. Seeing everyone's real experiences with both the myWageReport app and phone reporting has given me so much clarity. I especially appreciate the detailed explanations about Trial Work Period vs. SGA thresholds - I had no idea they were different amounts! And all the practical tips about keeping records, saving confirmation numbers, and making sure employer info matches exactly are the kind of details you don't always find in the official SSA materials. Dylan, it's wonderful that you found work that's helping your mental health while being accommodating of your condition. That balance can be so hard to achieve. For anyone else reading this who might be hesitant about returning to work - this discussion really shows that with proper reporting and good record-keeping, it's very manageable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise here. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating disability benefits so much less intimidating!

As someone who's been navigating SSDI and part-time work for the past year, I wanted to add a few thoughts to this excellent discussion. First, Dylan, congratulations on finding accommodating work that's helping your mental health - that's such an important part of the journey! I've used both the myWageReport app and phone reporting, and honestly the app is so much more convenient. One thing I learned that might be helpful: if you're ever unsure whether a particular month's earnings need to be reported, err on the side of caution and report it. SSA would much rather have too much information than too little. Also, since you mentioned chronic health conditions - don't forget that your work attempt itself can actually be viewed positively if you ever need to apply for other benefits or if your condition changes. SSA recognizes that many people with disabilities want to work when they're able to, and making good faith efforts (like proper reporting) demonstrates that. The bookstore sounds like a great fit for someone managing health issues - flexible scheduling and the ability to sit when needed are huge accommodations that not all employers offer. I hope it continues to be beneficial for both your health and your sense of purpose!