Can You Work While Receiving SSDI Benefits?

Many Washington residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) wonder whether they can earn any income without jeopardizing their monthly benefits. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established a structured set of rules that allow SSDI recipients to test their ability to return to work — but exceeding certain thresholds can trigger a review or termination of benefits. Understanding these rules is critical before accepting any employment.

Substantial Gainful Activity: The Critical Threshold

The foundational concept governing work and SSDI is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, the SSA defines SGA as earning more than $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals, or $2,590 per month for those who are blind. If your gross monthly earnings exceed the applicable SGA threshold, the SSA generally considers you capable of performing substantial work — and your SSDI benefits may be at risk.

These figures are adjusted periodically, so Washington residents should verify the current SGA limit with the SSA or a disability attorney before beginning any work. Earnings below the SGA threshold typically do not affect your ongoing benefits, though you are still required to report all work activity to the SSA.

The Trial Work Period: Testing Employment Safely

The SSA offers a critical protection for SSDI recipients who want to attempt returning to work: the Trial Work Period (TWP). During the TWP, you can work and receive your full SSDI benefits regardless of how much you earn — as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment.

The Trial Work Period consists of 9 months within any rolling 60-month window. A month counts as a TWP service month if you earn more than $1,110 in 2025 (for self-employed individuals, the threshold is based on hours worked or net earnings). These 9 months do not need to be consecutive.

• You continue receiving full SSDI payments during all 9 TWP months
• The SSA will not reduce your benefits based on earnings during this period
• After the TWP ends, the SSA evaluates whether your earnings exceed SGA
• If earnings remain below SGA after the TWP, benefits generally continue

Washington residents should use the Trial Work Period strategically. It is an opportunity to test your capacity for employment without immediately forfeiting the financial security your SSDI benefits provide.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, you are entitled to receive your SSDI benefit for any month in which your earnings fall below the SGA threshold — without filing a new application. This safety net is especially valuable if your condition fluctuates or your employment is inconsistent.

If your earnings exceed SGA during the EPE, the SSA will suspend your benefits for that month. However, if your earnings drop back below SGA in a later EPE month, benefits can be reinstated automatically. Once the 36-month EPE expires, exceeding SGA results in termination of benefits rather than suspension.

For Washington workers in industries with variable hours — such as seasonal labor, healthcare, or gig work — this distinction between suspension and termination matters significantly. Tracking your monthly earnings carefully during the EPE can help you avoid an unexpected gap in coverage.

The Ticket to Work Program and Washington Resources

The SSA's Ticket to Work program is a voluntary initiative that provides SSDI recipients with free employment support services. Participants receive access to vocational rehabilitation, job training, career counseling, and job placement assistance — all at no cost. Importantly, Ticket to Work participants receive additional protections against continuing disability reviews while they are making timely progress toward employment goals.

In Washington, a network of approved Employment Networks (ENs) and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies can assist SSDI beneficiaries through the Ticket to Work program. Washington's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is one such agency, offering services across the state including in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and rural communities. Connecting with a local EN or DVR counselor can help you navigate the program's requirements without inadvertently jeopardizing your benefits.

• The Ticket to Work helpline is available at 1-866-968-7842
• Washington DVR offices serve beneficiaries statewide
• Self-employment and remote work arrangements may qualify under the program
• Participation does not automatically affect your monthly SSDI payment

Work Incentives, Deductions, and Reporting Obligations

The SSA recognizes that disability often comes with significant ongoing costs. Several work incentives can reduce your countable earnings when the SSA calculates whether you have reached SGA levels.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) allow you to deduct the cost of items or services you need to work because of your disability. In Washington, this might include adapted transportation, specialized equipment, prescription medications required to sustain employment, or certain attendant care costs. These deductions are subtracted from your gross earnings before the SSA applies the SGA threshold.

Subsidies and special conditions may also apply if your employer is providing you with supports that are not ordinarily given to other workers. If a Washington employer allows extended breaks, lighter duties, or additional supervision due to your impairment, the SSA may not count the full value of those wages toward SGA.

Regardless of which work incentives apply to your situation, you are legally required to report all work activity to the SSA. Failure to report earnings — even inadvertently — can result in overpayments that you will be required to repay, and in some cases, allegations of fraud. Report any new job, change in hours, or change in pay promptly. You can do so by contacting your local Social Security field office, calling 1-800-772-1213, or reporting online through your my Social Security account.

Washington residents should also be aware that returning to work does not immediately end Medicare coverage tied to SSDI. Under current law, most SSDI recipients retain Medicare eligibility for at least 93 months after the Trial Work Period begins, providing a meaningful buffer as you transition back into the workforce.

When to Consult an Attorney Before You Start Working

The rules surrounding SSDI and work are technical, and a single misstep — such as earning slightly above SGA in a month you were not tracking closely — can have serious consequences for your benefits. Before accepting a job offer or starting any self-employment activity, consider consulting with an experienced SSDI attorney who understands both federal SSA guidelines and the specific resources available to Washington residents.

An attorney can help you calculate whether your anticipated earnings will trigger SGA, identify all applicable work incentives and deductions, document your work activity correctly, and respond to any SSA inquiries or continuing disability reviews that arise. Early legal guidance is far less costly than attempting to recover benefits after they have been terminated.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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