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Many people who rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are also able to perform some form of work despite their disabilities. If you’re in this group, it’s important that you understand the rules on earning income through work so that you can avoid jeopardizing your right to receive benefits or risk receiving overpayment of benefits.
SSDI vs. SSI: The Difference in Rules
SSDI and SSI are related but distinct programs that help people who cannot work and earn a living. SSDI is based on their work history and prior earnings, which reflect their contribution to the Social Security system – hence the term “insurance.” Conversely, the SSI program provides need-based benefits to individuals who meet specific asset and income limits regardless of their work history. Earning income through work can affect eligibility or specific benefits in each program differently.
Working While Receiving SSDI Benefits
Someone who returns to work while still receiving SSDI benefits risks their eligibility for benefits due to the Social Security Administration’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold. The SGA threshold represents a level of monthly income from work that the SSA has determined indicates an individual’s ability to support themselves financially through employment, which means that person would not need disability benefits. The SSA sets different SGA thresholds for blind and non-blind individuals. For 2026, non-blind individuals have an SGA of $1690, and blind individuals have an SGA of $2830.
That said, SSDI has programs that allow recipients to attempt to return to work while retaining their benefits for a limited period. A recipient may enter a trial work period if they earn income above a specific monthly threshold. Under the trial work period rules, the SSA does not consider an SSDI recipient’s disability to have ended until they have earned monthly income above the trial work period threshold for at least nine months in a rolling 60-month period.
Once a recipient completes the trial work period, they enter a 36-month extended period of eligibility. During this period, they can still receive benefits in any month that their earnings fall below the SGA threshold. When their income rises above the SGA threshold, they will continue to receive benefits for an additional two months during a “grace period.” If their income remains above the SGA threshold during the grace period, their benefits will stop, though benefits can resume if the recipient’s income falls below the threshold again.
Once the extended period of eligibility ends, a benefits recipient can request expedited reinstatement of their SSDI benefits if they stop working within five years.
Working While Receiving SSI Benefits
The SSI program pays benefits based on the federal benefit rate minus any qualifying monthly income a recipient earns. For 2026, an individual receiving SSI has a federal benefit rate of $994, while an individual with an eligible spouse has a rate of $1491.
Earned income can include wages, self-employment income, certain royalties, honoraria, and sheltered workshop payments. However, the SSA excludes the first $20 of monthly income, the first $65 of monthly earnings, and one-half of monthly earnings over $65. Nevertheless, earning sufficient monthly income can entirely offset the federal benefit rate, resulting in an individual receiving no SSI benefits for those months.
Program rules require recipients to report all monthly income. Underreporting income may lead to an overpayment, which can result in the SSA demanding reimbursement or offsetting the overpayment with future benefits.
Risks of Working
Possible hazards of returning to work while receiving SSDI or SSI benefits include:
- Overpayment of benefits, which can lead to a demand for repayment of excess benefits
- Unanticipated termination of benefits or triggering trial work programs
- Triggering continuing disability reviews by the SSA
- Jeopardizing Medicare or Medicaid eligibility
SSDI and SSI recipients should seek legal and financial advice before returning to work to ensure they do not put themselves in a less advantageous financial position.
Contact Our Firm Today for Guidance
Do you have questions about whether working will cause you to inadvertently jeopardize your government benefits? Disability Advocates Group of Los Angeles, CA, has answers. Contact us today for an initial consultation with an SSD attorney to learn more about restrictions on working if you receive SSI or SSDI benefits.
