Social Security earnings limits: How much can I earn with SSDI and SSI before benefits get cut?

Thanks for explaining! So if I understand right, I could work and earn maybe $800/month and it would: - Not affect my SSDI at all (since under $1,110 doesn't even count as a trial work month) - But would reduce my SSI payment by around $357 ($800 minus $85 = $715 ÷ 2 = $357) Is that right? And do I report this to different offices for SSDI vs SSI?

This is what I'm afraid of happening to me too. Social Security's overpayment nightmare! Did you report your work right away? I've heard some people say you should report income the same day you get paid, but that seems excessive.

This happened because you likely completed your Trial Work Period and then continued earning above SGA. Social Security processing delays mean they often don't adjust benefits immediately, leading to overpayments. But @OP - if you keep earnings below the limits I mentioned and report properly, this shouldn't happen. Working part-time below SGA is absolutely allowed and even encouraged by SSA.

Thank you so much! I had no idea about the WIPA counselors - that sounds exactly what I need. I'll look them up. And I definitely need to understand more about the California supplements too.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I was in the same boat trying to get through about my disability review. I was about to give up when someone told me about them. Instead of waiting on hold forever, they call SSA and get in line for you, then call you back when an agent is about to pick up. Saved me literally hours of hold time. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I've used it twice now and got through both times. Worth it just for the stress reduction of not having to listen to that hold music for hours!

Oh wow, I had no idea they counted help from family on SSI! That's scary because my sister sometimes helps me with groceries when things are tight. I need to look into this more.

this is so complicaded no wonder people just give up and dont work!!! why cant they make this simpler???

Yes, that's correct! Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) is available for 5 years after benefits end due to work activity. If your disability prevents you from working again, you can request EXR and potentially receive provisional benefits for up to 6 months while they review your case. This is one of the most important safety nets in the system, and it's why trying to work doesn't have to feel so risky. You're not starting from zero if things don't work out.

That sounds awful! But was she maybe doing heavy physical labor that contradicted her disability claim? I heard they can use that against you. Like if you claim you can't lift more than 10 pounds but then work in a warehouse lifting 50-pound boxes.

There's likely more to this story. A single day of work, even at Amazon, wouldn't trigger termination of benefits. Working doesn't automatically mean you're not disabled - that's why the work incentives exist in the first place. Benefits termination would require a medical review finding improvement or consistent work above SGA for an extended period. I understand the fear, but spreading misinformation doesn't help people make informed decisions. The OP is asking about part-time work below SGA limits, which is explicitly allowed and even encouraged under Social Security's rules.

That sounds like a great plan! Working within these programs can be complex, but with careful planning, it can definitely be done successfully. The WIPA counselor will be able to provide guidance tailored exactly to your situation.

good luck be careful!!!

This is such an important point that I wish more people talked about! I'm just starting to research going back to work and hadn't even thought about how it might affect my other benefits. I have CalFresh and was approved for Section 8 housing assistance last year after a long wait. The idea of having to navigate reporting requirements for multiple agencies on different schedules sounds overwhelming. Do you know if there's a single place that tracks all these requirements, or do you literally have to contact each program separately? I'm already anxious about getting the SSA reporting right, and now I'm worried about accidentally messing up my housing or food assistance too. Thanks for bringing this up - definitely something I need to ask the WIPA counselor about!

@Sophie Hernandez Unfortunately there s'no single place that tracks all the different reporting requirements - I learned this the hard way too! Each program really does have its own rules and timelines. What I ended up doing was creating a simple chart with each benefit program, their reporting requirements, and deadlines. For example: - SSA: Report by 10th of month following when you receive wages - CalFresh: Report within 10 days of income change - Section 8: Usually within 30 days, but check your specific housing authority - Medi-Cal: Within 10 days for most changes The good news is that once you get into a routine of reporting, it becomes more manageable. I set phone reminders for myself and keep a template letter/form for each agency. Your WIPA counselor should definitely know about coordinating these benefits - that s'exactly what they re'trained for. Some areas also have benefits advocates who can help navigate multiple programs. Don t'let the complexity stop you from exploring work if that s'what you want to do!

This is incredibly helpful information that I wish I had known earlier! I'm currently on SSDI and considering part-time work, but I also receive SNAP benefits and have been on the Section 8 waiting list for three years. I never realized that each program might have different reporting timelines - I was only focused on the SSA requirements. The idea of creating a chart with all the different deadlines is brilliant. One question: if you're late reporting to one of these other programs (like CalFresh or housing assistance), can that affect your SSA benefits at all? Or are they completely separate systems that don't communicate with each other? I'm definitely going to ask my WIPA counselor about this when I meet with them. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's exactly the kind of real-world insight that's hard to find in the official program guides.

@Aurora St.Pierre Great question! From my experience, the different benefit programs generally don t'communicate with each other directly, so being late with CalFresh reporting won t'automatically affect your SSDI. However, there are a few things to watch out for: 1. Some programs do data matching periodically like (comparing SSA records with state benefit databases so) inconsistencies might eventually surface 2. If you lose other benefits due to late reporting, it could indirectly affect your overall financial situation and potentially your SSI if (you have it since) that s'needs-based 3. IRS reporting - your work income will show up on tax forms that multiple agencies can access The bigger risk is really just losing the individual benefits for not following their specific rules. Like my Section 8 housing authority has a three "strikes policy" for late reporting - after three violations they can terminate your assistance entirely. That s'why I m'so paranoid about keeping good records and reporting on time to everyone. It s'a pain, but losing housing assistance or food benefits would be devastating even if my SSDI stayed intact. Definitely a good topic for your WIPA counselor - they ve'usually seen all the ways these programs interact or (don t'interact and) can give you the real scoop on what to prioritize.

@Emily Parker This is such valuable advice! I ve'been so focused on the SSA side that I completely overlooked how work might affect my other benefits. I m'on CalFresh and just got approved for utility assistance through PG&E s'CARE program. Do you happen to know if utility assistance programs like CARE have income reporting requirements too? I m'worried I might be juggling even more reporting deadlines than I initially thought. Also, when you mention SDI - I thought that was just temporary disability insurance that you pay into through payroll taxes, not something you can get while on SSDI? Or are you referring to a different California program? I want to make sure I m'not missing any benefits that might be affected. The multiple agency coordination sounds really complex, but your chart idea is genius. I m'definitely going to create something similar before I start any work. Thanks for thinking of this angle - it s'exactly the kind of practical consideration that could save someone a lot of headaches later!

@Luca Russo Good questions! For utility programs like PG&E s'CARE, you typically don t'have ongoing income reporting requirements - they usually just verify your eligibility annually or when you recertify. But it s'worth double-checking your specific program s'terms since some do require notification of significant "income" changes. Regarding SDI - you re'absolutely right that it s'the temporary payroll-deducted program. I should have been clearer - I was thinking of people who might be transitioning between SDI and SSDI, or those who have other California state disability programs. Most people on federal SSDI wouldn t'have active SDI claims. One thing I forgot to mention: if you re'working and paying into SDI again through payroll deductions, you might actually be building up new SDI eligibility for the future. It s'a small detail but worth knowing. The coordination really is complex, but honestly once you get your systems in place like (that reporting chart ,)it becomes much more manageable. The hardest part is just figuring out all the pieces upfront. Your WIPA counselor will be invaluable for this - they deal with these multi-program situations all the time and can help you create a comprehensive plan.

This is really great advice about documenting the medical recommendation for work! I hadn't thought about how that could protect me during future reviews. My psychiatrist has actually mentioned that structured activity and social interaction from work could be beneficial for my depression, which is secondary to my physical disability. I should definitely get that in writing. The Center for Independent Living suggestion is perfect too - I'll look into what's available in my area. Having ongoing support beyond just the initial WIPA consultation sounds incredibly valuable, especially as I navigate the actual implementation. And the flexible scheduling point is something I need to keep in mind when job hunting. I was thinking about retail or food service since those seem most available for part-time work, but I should probably prioritize employers who understand disability accommodation needs and consistent hour requirements over just any available position. Thanks for the practical perspective - it's helping me think beyond just the numbers and rules to the real-world logistics of making this work successfully.

@Zara Rashid The documentation point is so important! I wish I had known this earlier. When I started my part-time work journey, I was only focused on the financial aspects and didn t'think about the medical paper trail. One thing to add - if you do get that recommendation in writing from your psychiatrist, make sure it specifically mentions things like limited "hours, structured" "environment, or" part-time "capacity if" that s'what they re'recommending. The more specific the better for potential future reviews. Also, regarding employer types - you might want to consider looking into companies that specifically participate in disability hiring initiatives. Some larger retailers like Walmart, Target, and grocery chains have formal programs for hiring people with disabilities and their HR departments are usually well-versed in accommodation needs and benefits considerations. They re'often more understanding about consistent scheduling requirements. Libraries, community centers, and non-profit organizations can also be great options for part-time work with flexible, understanding employers. Just a thought as you re'planning your job search strategy!