You might be able to keep receiving government disability benefits while working a paid job. Find out about the specific work rules for each program!
Receiving SSI and SSDI while working
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may be able to work while still receiving benefits. However, your benefit amount could be reduced based on your earnings. If you choose to work, your income must remain within the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits.
Social Security Work Incentives
The SSA provides several work incentives to help disability beneficiaries explore employment opportunities without immediately losing their benefits. These include:
- Trial Work Period (TWP): Allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months while still receiving full benefits, regardless of earnings, as long as you report your work activity and continue to meet disability requirements.
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After completing the trial work period, you enter a 36-month window where you can still receive benefits for any month that your earnings remain below SGA limits.
- Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): If your benefits stop due to work activity but you become unable to continue working due to your medical condition, you can request benefit reinstatement within 5 years without having to file a new application.
- Continuation of Medicare: If your SSDI benefits stop due to earnings but you still have a disability, you may keep Medicare Part A coverage for at least 93 months beyond your trial work period. After that, you can pay to continue coverage.
Special Rules for Workers Who Are Blind
Blind individuals have higher SGA limits. If your earnings exceed this limit, you may still qualify for a disability freeze, ensuring that lower-earning years don’t reduce your future benefits.
What to Report If You Work While Receiving Disability
If you work while receiving SSDI or SSI, you must notify the SSA of:
- Starting or stopping work
- Changes in job duties, hours, or pay rate
- Work-related expenses due to your disability
If You Lose Your Job
- If you lose your job during a trial work period, your benefits remain unaffected.
- If you lose your job during the extended period of eligibility, your benefits can be immediately reinstated as long as you still meet the disability requirements.
How Long Will Medicaid Continue?
Even if your SSI payments stop due to earnings, your Medicaid coverage may continue until your income reaches your state's Medicaid threshold. You may qualify for continued Medicaid if you:
- Need Medicaid to continue working
- Cannot afford similar medical coverage
- Still meet disability requirement