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How Many Hours Can You Work While on Disability Benefits?

Being unable to work as a result of a disability can be stressful, there’s no question about that. It’s an unfortunate truth that being unable to work won’t stop bills from arriving, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed and worried. If you receive disability benefits for your condition, those benefits probably do help in relieving the financial stress that you feel, at least to some extent. Nevertheless, many disabled individuals hold out hope that eventually, they may be able to return to work, at least in some capacity. This often leads to questions about whether a return to work will result in automatic termination of disability benefits. That’s an understandable question to ask. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.

Work Incentives Offered by the Social Security Administration

Those considering a return to work should know that the Social Security Administration encourages it and offers a variety of incentives for those who try. Some of these include:

  • The Ticket to Work Program: The Ticket to Work program is a program that is administered by Social Security to encourage disability benefit recipients to attempt to return to work by offering a variety of employment-related services. Some of these include vocational rehabilitation, job training, and a variety of other support services. While participating in Ticket to Work, beneficiaries can continue to receive their benefits without interruption each month.
  • Trial Work Period: As it sounds, the trial work period is a period of time that the Social Security Administration offers to those who are attempting to return to work to do so without having their benefits diminished or discontinued. The trial work period typically lasts 9 months, although the 9 months do not need to be consecutive. Instead, they exist within a rolling 60-month period.

As we have noted, during participation in either the trial work period or the Ticket to Work program, those who receive disability benefits can continue receiving those benefits without interruption. This helps to provide peace of mind and reduces stress for those who are considering a full-time return to work.

It is important to understand, however, that those who do return to work on a full-time basis may ultimately have their benefits discontinued if they earn above the substantial gainful activity limit. Let’s take a closer look at what that limit is and when it may apply.

What is the Substantial Gainful Activity Limit?

The Substantial Gainful Activity limit, or SGA limit for short, is a limit established by the Social Security Administration on earnings for those who are attempting to return to work. The Social Security Administration uses the term “substantial gainful activity” to describe a particular level of work activity and earnings. The Social Security Administration will consider work to be “substantial” if it involves significant mental or physical activity, and “gainful” if it consistently earns a profit.

As we have noted, if you are participating in the Ticket to Work program or the trial work period, you may continue to receive benefits for a time, but you cannot indefinitely earn an income and also continue to receive Social Security disability benefits.

At a certain point, if your earnings are significant enough, the Social Security Administration will discontinue benefits, and to do so, it will consider whether or not an individual’s earnings exceed that limit. The SGA limit usually changes from year to year based on inflation and other economic factors. In 2026, the SGA limit for blind individuals is $2,830 per month, while the SGA limit for non-blind recipients is $1,690 per month.

As we have discussed, during the “trial work period,” individuals may earn in excess of the SGA limit, but after the trial work period has ended, benefits will usually be terminated if consistent earnings above the limit continue. While this may seem unfortunate, the good news is that, ideally, the income you earn will replace the disability benefits you no longer receive. It’s also important to keep in mind that if you later stop working because of a disability, you can always attempt to pursue disability benefits again.

American Disability Action Group – Here For You

At American Disability Action Group, we know that being disabled is difficult in many ways. The last thing you need when you’re struggling with a disability is to worry and wonder about complicated legal matters and whether you’re doing all you can to protect your rights and pursue the benefits you need and deserve. That’s why we’re here to help. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys understand the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’re passionate about helping our clients through this journey each step of the way. If you’re ready to get started today, give us a call. We look forward to helping you soon.

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By American Disability Action Group | Posted on January 16, 2026