SSDI earnings limit - tracked monthly or annually by Social Security?

SSDI uses a monthly earnings threshold approach, not annual. Each month is evaluated separately against the SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) limit. If you earn above the SGA amount in any single month, that specific month could be considered as showing ability to perform SGA, which could trigger a continuing disability review or affect benefits for that month. For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 for non-blind individuals ($2,590 for blind individuals). So in your example, if you earned $1,700 in one month, that month exceeds SGA. The $800 month doesn't offset it. However, there are some important considerations: 1. There's a Trial Work Period (TWP) where you can test your ability to work for 9 months while keeping full benefits 2. The months don't have to be consecutive 3. During TWP, you can earn any amount without affecting benefits 4. The TWP earning threshold is lower ($1,110 in 2025) I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with a Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) counselor - they can give you free, personalized guidance about working while on SSDI.

its monthly NOT yearly. my brother got caught by this. made to much in december (holiday retail) and lost his check. don't risk it.

I'm in a similar situation with my fibromyalgia. From what I understand, SSDI does it month-by-month, not annually. But there's this thing called a Trial Work Period where you can make more than the limit for 9 months (they don't have to be in a row) and still keep your benefits. After those 9 months are used up, then you have to stay under the SGA limit every month or risk losing benefits for that month. The really tricky part is that the Trial Work Period has a DIFFERENT earnings limit than the regular SGA limit! For 2025, I think any month you earn over $1,110 counts as a Trial Work Month, but the actual SGA limit is $1,550. It's super confusing and the SSA website explanation makes my head spin. Have you considered talking to a benefits counselor? They can explain all this much better than the regular SSA reps.

You definitely need to report your earnings to SSA every month you work, don't wait for them to find out from your employer. They can hit you with overpayments if you don't report and that's a nightmare to deal with.

Have you been trying to call the SSA for help with this? I spent WEEKS trying to get someone on the phone who actually understood the SSDI work rules. Finally I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 5 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with explained that monthly earnings matter more than annual, but also walked me through the Trial Work Period rules. Apparently I still had all 9 of my trial work months available, so I could try working above SGA for a while without risking my benefits. Definitely worth talking to someone who can look at your specific record.

As others have mentioned, SSA evaluates SGA on a monthly basis, not annually. Here's a more technical breakdown that might help you: 1. Trial Work Period (TWP): You get 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) where you can earn ANY amount without affecting your SSDI. A month counts as a TWP month when you earn above $1,110 (2025 figure). 2. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After your TWP, you enter a 36-month period where benefits are reinstated for months you earn below SGA ($1,550 non-blind, $2,590 blind in 2025) and suspended for months above SGA. 3. Expedited Reinstatement: Even after the EPE, if you can't work due to your disability within 5 years, your benefits can be reinstated without a new application. I recommend tracking your monthly earnings carefully and reporting them to SSA promptly. You might also want to explore work incentives like Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) which can help reduce your countable income for SGA purposes. Consider consulting with a Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) counselor - they provide free specialized guidance about disability benefits and work.

Regarding IRWEs - they must be expenses that: 1. Are related to your disabling condition 2. Are necessary for you to work 3. Are paid by you and not reimbursed by insurance or other sources 4. Are reasonable costs So for your MS expenses, only the portion YOU pay out-of-pocket could potentially count as an IRWE. Things like prescription co-pays, medical devices, specialized transportation costs, home modifications for accessibility, or even service animal expenses could qualify if they meet all the criteria. You need to document these expenses and submit them to SSA for approval as IRWEs. Keep all receipts and be prepared to explain how each expense is necessary for your work activity. When approved, these amounts are deducted from your gross earnings before SSA determines if you've exceeded SGA.

The SSA system is BROKEN!!! I was on SSDI for 3 years and tried working part time. Reported everything correctly every month. They STILL hit me with a $12,000 overpayment notice claiming I was over SGA for 8 months!!! Took me almost a year to get it sorted out. Their own employees don't understand their ridiculous rules. And good luck getting through to anyone helpful on the phone. It's infuriating how they treat disabled people who are just trying to supplement their income a little bit.

I got it mostly waived but had to pay back about $2,000. Had to submit tons of documentation proving my actual work hours and expenses. The worst part was the stress of it all while dealing with my health issues. Just be super careful - document EVERYTHING, keep copies of all your pay stubs, report monthly, and if possible get written confirmation that they received your reports. The system is designed to trip people up, I swear.

Wanted to add one more thing - my doctor wrote a letter supporting my need for flexible part-time work as part of my treatment plan (saying it was good for my mental health but that I couldn't work full-time). I don't know if it really matters officially, but when I had an issue with my benefits, having that letter seemed to help when I talked to the SSA reviewer. Might be worth asking your doctor for something similar since you have MS and your ability to work varies.

Just wanted to add another resource that might help you - the Red Book from SSA is their official guide to employment support for people with disabilities. It's available free online and has detailed explanations of all the work incentives, including TWP, EPE, and IRWEs that others have mentioned. It's written in plain English (mostly) and has examples that make it easier to understand than their regular website. Also, many states have Protection and Advocacy agencies that can help if you run into problems with SSA. They know the system inside and out and can advocate for you if there's an overpayment issue or other dispute. Given your MS diagnosis, you might also want to check if there are any MS-specific work support programs in your area - the National MS Society sometimes has resources for people trying to navigate work and benefits. The key thing is to document everything and report monthly. Keep copies of all your wage statements, your monthly reports to SSA, and any correspondence. It sounds like you're being really thoughtful about this, which is exactly the right approach.

I'm a WIPA counselor and wanted to jump in with some additional clarification that might help you feel more confident about moving forward. You've received excellent advice here, but I want to emphasize a few key points specifically for your MS situation: 1. **The "substantial" in SGA matters**: SSA doesn't just look at dollar amounts - they also consider whether work demonstrates substantial gainful activity given your disability. With MS, if you're working reduced hours due to symptom management, this context matters during reviews. 2. **Accommodation costs can be IRWEs**: Since you mentioned remote work, any technology, ergonomic equipment, or software you need due to your MS symptoms could potentially qualify as Impairment-Related Work Expenses. 3. **State-specific programs**: Many states have additional work incentive programs for people with disabilities. Some offer benefits continuation, health insurance support, or even small grants for work-related accommodations. The monthly vs. annual question you asked is definitely monthly evaluation, but remember - you have multiple safety nets. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you'll be a conscientious participant in the program. I'd strongly recommend connecting with your local WIPA program (you can find yours at choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp) for personalized guidance. We can run scenarios specific to your situation and help you create a work plan that maximizes your success while protecting your benefits. You're making a smart, informed decision. These programs exist specifically to support people like you in returning to work safely.