How Working Part-Time Affects Your Social Security Disability Benefits
For individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the idea of returning to work part-time can bring a mix of hope and concern. On one hand, working can provide additional income and a sense of independence. On the other hand, there are strict rules surrounding how much you can earn while receiving disability benefits. Our Arkansas & Nationwide Social Security Disability Lawyers at the American Disability Action Group can help ensure that your benefits are not jeopardized.
Understanding the Trial Work Period
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that many people with disabilities want to try returning to work. To support this, the SSA offers a trial work period (TWP), which allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work without losing their benefits. During the trial work period, you can work for up to nine months (within a 60-month rolling period) and earn as much as you want without affecting your SSDI benefits. As of 2024, any month in which your earnings exceed $1,050 counts as a trial work month.
For residents of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana, this means you can explore part-time or even full-time work without immediately losing your SSDI benefits. However, it’s essential to track your earnings and keep the SSA informed.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
After the trial work period ends, the SSA evaluates whether you can engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is defined as the ability to earn a certain amount of income from work. For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,460 for blind individuals. If your earnings exceed these amounts, the SSA may determine that you are no longer disabled and stop your SSDI benefits.
For example, if you are working part-time in Oklahoma or Mississippi and your earnings consistently exceed the SGA threshold after the trial work period, you risk losing your SSDI benefits. It’s crucial to understand these limits and plan your work schedule accordingly.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Work
SSI is a needs-based program, so any income, including earnings from part-time work, can affect your benefits. The SSA applies a formula to determine how much your SSI benefits are reduced based on your income. Generally, the SSA disregards the first $85 of your monthly earnings, and then reduces your SSI benefits by $0.50 for every additional dollar you earn.
Residents of Tennessee and Texas should note that working part-time while receiving SSI could decrease their monthly benefits, but it may still be beneficial if the extra income outweighs the reduction in SSI. Additionally, some work expenses related to your disability, like special transportation, may be deductible, reducing the impact on your SSI benefits.
Reporting Earnings
Whether you live in Arkansas, Louisiana, or any other state, reporting your earnings to the SSA is critical when receiving SSDI or SSI. Failure to report accurately can result in overpayments, which you may have to repay, or even termination of benefits. You can report your earnings through the SSA’s online services, by phone, or in person at your local SSA office.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Working part-time while receiving Social Security Disability benefits is possible, but it requires careful planning and awareness of the rules. Understanding the trial work period, SGA, and the impact of earnings on SSI benefits can help you make informed decisions about employment. For residents of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana, knowing these rules is vital to maintaining your benefits while exploring work opportunities. If you have questions or need assistance navigating these complexities, the American Disability Action Group is here to help.
Source:
ssa.gov/disability/work#:~:text=The%20first%209%20months%20of,a%20rolling%205%2Dyear%20period.