Will SGA limits be exceeded during months with 3 Social Security paychecks vs. standard calculation?

This is actually a really good question that trips up a lot of SSDI recipients! When it comes to SGA limits, Social Security is supposed to count earnings when they're EARNED, not when they're paid. So theoretically, those 3-paycheck months shouldn't cause problems if you're working consistent hours. However, the reality is that the SSA's automated systems initially flag based on what's reported to them by payroll systems, which shows when you got PAID, not when you EARNED the money. This can definitely trigger automatic reviews in those months with 3 paychecks.

I went through this EXACT situation last year!!! The SSA computer ABSOLUTELY flags those months with 3 paychecks if they go over SGA. Then they sent me this scary letter about potential overpayment and I almost had a heart attack!!! Had to call them like 10 times before I got through to someone who understood the issue. They eventually fixed it but it took MONTHS and so much stress!!!

Here's the technical answer: SSA is supposed to use an "actual receipt" method for wages - counting when you physically receive the money - UNLESS using that method would be unfair, in which case they're supposed to use an "earned" method. For wage earners with regular hours (sounds like your situation), they should apply the earned method and calculate your SGA based on a prorated monthly amount. The problem is getting someone at SSA who understands this distinction. I recommend keeping detailed records of your work hours and earnings per WEEK, so if you get flagged, you can demonstrate you've been consistent. If possible, try to reach out to your local SSA office proactively with a written explanation of your situation.

when i was on ssdi i had same problem. i worked at walmart and some months had 3 paychecks. my caseworker told me sga is what you EARN not when you get paid. but the computers dont know that!! keep a work calandar with your hours EVERY DAY just in case.

Hey there, I work as a benefits counselor and help people with this exact issue all the time. Here's what you need to know: 1) Yes, technically SSA should be counting when wages are earned, not paid 2) However, your employer reports your wages using pay dates, not earning periods 3) The SSA computer systems initially flag based on reported amounts 4) You may need to request a manual review and explain your situation My advice is to be proactive - if you know which months will have 3 pay periods, document that clearly. Call your local field office and explain your situation. In some cases, they can put notes in your file. Also, be aware that if you average over the monthly SGA amount consistently, even if some months are under and others are over, SSA could still determine you're engaging in SGA overall.

I had this EXACT problem!! Let me tell you, if you wait until they flag you, you're going to have a nightmare trying to fix it. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at Social Security after they cut my benefits because of a 3-paycheck month. I finally discovered Claimyr.com and it was a lifesaver - they got me connected to an actual SSA agent in under 30 minutes after I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Anyway, once I actually talked to someone knowledgeable, they were able to review my case and fix the issue, but it took multiple calls. The key was proving I wasn't actually exceeding SGA when counting by WHEN I WORKED, not when I got paid.

UGGGH this makes me so mad about the system!!! Why cant they just have their computers be smart enough to figure this out?? People shouldn't have to fight just to keep benefits they deserve! It's almost like they WANT to catch people and cut their benefits 😡

To address your original question more specifically - if you're earning $275 weekly, those two 3-paycheck months would total $825, which is likely still under the current SGA threshold (which is around $1,550 for 2025 for non-blind individuals). So you might actually be okay even with those 3-paycheck months, depending on your exact earnings.

Update: I called my local office this morning (actually got through somehow!) and spoke with a claims representative. She said they do recognize this issue and suggested I send in a letter explaining my work schedule and which months will have 3 paychecks. She also recommended I keep a work diary with my hours and pay info. She said if I'm flagged, I should immediately request a reconsideration with this documentation. Feeling a bit more prepared now!

Great to hear you got through to someone helpful! That's exactly the right approach - being proactive rather than reactive. One additional tip: when you write that letter, be very specific about which months will have the 3 paychecks (you can calculate this based on your pay schedule) and include your regular weekly hours and hourly rate. Also mention that your total annual earnings will still be well within limits when calculated properly. Having everything documented upfront like this can save you a lot of headaches later if their system does flag those months. The fact that the claims rep specifically mentioned keeping a work diary shows they understand this is a real issue that affects people regularly.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation but with bi-weekly pay from a retail job. Reading everyone's experiences here has been eye-opening - I had no idea that SSA's computers would flag based on payment dates rather than when the work was actually performed. It's frustrating that the system isn't sophisticated enough to handle these common payroll scenarios automatically. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about keeping detailed work logs and being proactive with documentation. Has anyone here had success with getting their employer to provide a letter explaining the pay schedule? I'm wondering if that would help strengthen the case if I do get flagged. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really valuable to hear from people who've actually been through this process!

This is such a common and stressful situation that so many SSDI recipients face! I went through something similar about 6 months ago with my part-time job. What really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet that tracked my weekly hours and earnings alongside the actual pay dates. This way I could clearly show that even though some months had 3 paychecks, my actual work hours and earnings were consistent throughout the year. One thing I learned is that it's worth calling your employer's payroll department too - they might be able to provide additional documentation about your pay schedule that could be helpful. Some payroll systems can generate reports showing earnings by work period vs. pay period, which makes the distinction really clear. Also, if you do get flagged later on, don't panic! The initial automated review letters can be really scary, but once you get to speak with an actual person and show your documentation, they're usually pretty understanding about this payroll timing issue. The key is having all your records organized and ready to go. Good luck with your new job!

Welcome to the community, Diego! I'm glad this thread has been helpful for you too. Yes, having that spreadsheet absolutely made the conversation go much smoother when I eventually had to call SSA. The representative could immediately see that my work pattern was consistent and that the higher monthly totals were just due to payroll timing, not actually working more hours. My advice would be to be proactive and call them now rather than waiting. Here's why: when you call proactively, you're just providing information and documentation. But if you wait until after you're flagged, you're in "defense mode" trying to prove you didn't violate SGA rules, which puts you in a much more stressful position. Plus, getting that documentation into your file ahead of time can sometimes prevent the automated flag from happening in the first place. The worst thing that happens if you call now is they tell you they've noted your situation and to contact them if any issues arise. But the best case scenario is they put a note in your file that prevents problems down the road. Definitely worth the phone call in my opinion!

I'm new to this community and just started working part-time while on SSDI myself. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the potential issues with 3-paycheck months and honestly hadn't even thought to calculate which months those would be for me. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and a bit nerve-wracking. It sounds like being proactive is definitely the way to go. I'm going to follow the advice about creating detailed records and contacting SSA preemptively. One question for those who've been through this - when you called SSA to explain your situation proactively, did you speak with your regular caseworker or just whoever answered at the general number? I'm wondering if there's a specific person I should try to reach or if any claims representative can help with this kind of documentation. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's so hard to find elsewhere!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been dealing with this exact scenario for the past year! I work part-time at a grocery store and get paid bi-weekly, so I definitely have those dreaded 3-paycheck months twice a year. What I've learned through trial and error is that documentation is absolutely EVERYTHING. I keep a simple notebook where I write down my hours every single day, along with my gross pay on each paycheck. When one of those 3-paycheck months came up last fall, I was ready with a clear record showing that I worked the exact same 20 hours per week throughout the entire period. The automated system still flagged me (got that scary letter in the mail that made my heart stop!), but when I called with my documentation ready, the whole thing was resolved in one phone call. The representative could see immediately that it was just a payroll timing issue, not me actually earning more money. My biggest tip: don't wait until you're flagged! I wish I had called proactively like some of you are planning to do. It would have saved me a lot of stress and sleepless nights. Also, if your employer uses a standard payroll system, they can usually print you a report showing your pay schedule for the whole year, which makes it super clear when those 3-paycheck months will occur. Stay strong everyone - this system is confusing but it's definitely manageable with the right preparation!

As someone who's been on SSDI for about 3 years now, I can definitely relate to the anxiety around SGA calculations! I haven't started working yet myself, but I've been researching this exact scenario because I'm hoping to return to part-time work soon. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it's clear that being proactive is absolutely the key. The documentation strategies you all have shared (work diaries, employer letters, spreadsheets) sound like they make a huge difference when dealing with SSA. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who called SSA proactively, did you also document the date of your call and who you spoke with? I'm wondering if it would be worth keeping a log of any conversations with SSA representatives, just in case there's any confusion later about what was discussed or agreed upon. Also, does anyone know if there's a specific form or format that SSA prefers for this type of proactive documentation, or is a simple letter explaining the situation usually sufficient? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread is going to be invaluable when I'm ready to take that step back into the workforce!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm new to working while on SSDI and honestly had no clue about this 3-paycheck issue until I found this discussion. I just calculated my pay schedule and realized I'll have those months in June and November this year - would have been completely blindsided if I hadn't seen everyone's experiences here. The documentation strategies you all have shared are brilliant. I'm definitely going to start that daily work log approach and get a letter from my employer about the pay schedule. It's so helpful to see that multiple people have successfully navigated this with good preparation. One quick question - for those who called SSA proactively, about how long did those conversations typically take? I'm trying to plan when to make the call and want to make sure I have enough time to explain everything clearly without feeling rushed. Thanks again to everyone who shared their stories - knowing that other people have dealt with this exact situation and came out okay makes it feel so much less overwhelming!

Hey Emily! I'm also pretty new to this community and working while on SSDI. Your question about call timing is really practical - I made a similar call last month and Omar's advice is spot on about allowing plenty of time. One thing I'd add is to also have a pen and paper ready during the call to write down any reference numbers, confirmation that they've added notes to your file, or next steps they recommend. The representative I spoke with gave me a case reference number for the documentation I submitted, which I was really glad to have written down. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you reach doesn't seem familiar with this issue - I got transferred twice before reaching someone who immediately understood what I was talking about. The key is staying patient and politely asking to speak with someone who handles SGA calculations if needed. It's so great that you're being proactive about this! Having those June and November dates already identified puts you way ahead of where I was when I started. The peace of mind from getting everything documented upfront is totally worth the time spent on the call.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently considering returning to work while on SSDI, and honestly, I had no idea about this 3-paycheck month issue until reading everyone's experiences here. It's both reassuring and a bit concerning to learn that SSA's automated systems flag based on payment dates rather than when work is actually performed. The detailed advice about keeping work diaries, getting employer letters, and being proactive with SSA documentation is invaluable. I'm particularly grateful for the specific tips about call timing, what to have ready during conversations with representatives, and the importance of getting reference numbers for any documentation submitted. What strikes me most is how this thread demonstrates both the challenges of navigating the system and the power of community support. It's clear that being well-prepared and proactive can make all the difference, but it shouldn't have to be this complicated for people who are just trying to work within the rules. For those of you who have successfully navigated this process - your willingness to share detailed experiences is probably helping so many people avoid unnecessary stress and potential benefit disruptions. Thank you for creating such a supportive environment for those of us who are newer to working while receiving SSDI benefits!

Welcome to the community, Jessica and Sebastián! It's wonderful to see newcomers finding value in this discussion. As someone who's been navigating SSDI work rules for a couple years now, I can definitely relate to that initial feeling of being overwhelmed by all the regulations and potential complications. What I've learned is that while the system is frustrating and unnecessarily complex, knowledge really is power in this situation. This thread is a perfect example of how sharing real experiences can help people avoid the pitfalls that many of us discovered the hard way. For both of you as you move forward with work plans, I'd also recommend checking if your state has any Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs. These are free services that help SSDI recipients understand how work affects benefits. They can be incredibly helpful for mapping out scenarios like the 3-paycheck month issue before you even start working. The documentation habits everyone has discussed here - work logs, employer letters, proactive SSA communication - might seem like overkill at first, but they're honestly what make the difference between smooth sailing and months of stressful appeals. Better to have the records and not need them than to be scrambling to recreate everything after the fact. Keep asking questions and don't hesitate to share your own experiences as you go through the process. This community thrives on people helping each other navigate these challenges!

Welcome to the community! As someone who recently went through a very similar situation, I can definitely relate to your concerns about those 3-paycheck months. The advice everyone has shared here is spot-on - being proactive is absolutely the way to go. I work part-time earning about $280 weekly and faced the exact same worry about exceeding SGA limits during months with 3 paychecks. What really helped me was creating a simple tracking system right from the start: I keep a small calendar where I mark my work hours each day and note my pay dates. This way, I have clear documentation showing that my work pattern is consistent even when the pay timing creates those higher monthly totals. One thing I learned is that when you call SSA proactively (which I highly recommend), be very specific about your situation. Explain that you work consistent hours but get paid bi-weekly, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. Most representatives understand this issue once it's explained clearly, but having your numbers ready helps - like your weekly earnings, total annual projected income, and the specific months when 3-paycheck situations will occur. The peace of mind from getting ahead of this is totally worth the effort. Good luck with your new job, and don't hesitate to update us on how your proactive call with SSA goes!