Can You Work While Receiving SSDI Benefits?

Many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients wonder whether they can earn any income without losing their benefits. The answer is yes — but within strict limits set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Understanding these rules is essential for Minnesota beneficiaries who want to stay financially active without jeopardizing the disability payments they depend on.

The Substantial Gainful Activity Threshold

The SSA uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a person is working too much to remain eligible for SSDI. In 2025, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. If your gross earnings consistently exceed this amount, the SSA may determine that you are no longer disabled under their definition and terminate your benefits.

It is important to understand that SGA is based on gross earnings, not take-home pay. Deductions for taxes, health insurance, or other withholdings do not reduce your countable earnings for SGA purposes. Minnesota workers should also note that state-specific employment programs and wage subsidies may be treated differently — the SSA can deduct certain impairment-related work expenses (IRWEs) from your earnings before applying the SGA test.

The Trial Work Period: Your Protected Opportunity

Before the SSA can terminate your SSDI based on work activity, you are entitled to a Trial Work Period (TWP). During the TWP, you may work and earn any amount without affecting your monthly benefits, as long as you continue to have a disabling condition.

The TWP consists of nine months within a rolling 60-month period. A month counts as a TWP month if your earnings exceed $1,110 in 2025. These nine months do not need to be consecutive. Once you have used all nine TWP months, the SSA evaluates whether you have engaged in SGA. If you have, your benefits may stop after a three-month grace period.

For Minnesota residents, it is worth knowing that the state's Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) offers vocational rehabilitation services that can help beneficiaries plan a return to work in a way that protects their federal benefits. Coordinating with these programs before you begin working can prevent costly mistakes.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During these three years, your benefits are automatically reinstated in any month your earnings fall below the SGA level. This is a critical safety net — if you attempt to return to work and your health forces you to stop, you do not need to reapply for SSDI.

During the EPE, the SSA conducts what is called a Cessation Review. If you earn above SGA for one month during the EPE, benefits stop after a three-month grace period. However, if your condition worsens or your earnings drop below SGA again while still within the 36-month window, benefits resume without a new application. Minnesota workers who experience episodic or fluctuating conditions — such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, or certain mental health disorders — particularly benefit from this protection.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Other Deductions

Not all income you earn is counted the same way. The SSA allows you to deduct Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) from your gross earnings before the SGA calculation. These are costs you pay out of pocket that are necessary for you to work because of your disability.

Common IRWEs include:

• Prescription medications required to control your condition while working
• Medical devices, prosthetics, or assistive equipment
• Transportation costs if your disability prevents you from using public transit
• Attendant care services needed to prepare for or travel to work
• Modifications to a vehicle or workplace required by your disability

In Minnesota, where winter conditions can make standard transportation inaccessible for many disabled individuals, specialized transportation costs may be especially relevant. Keep detailed records and receipts for every expense you intend to deduct as an IRWE, as the SSA requires documentation before applying any deduction.

Additionally, if you work in a sheltered workshop or supported employment setting — programs common in Minnesota through organizations like Rise, Inc. or Merrick — the SSA may discount your earnings further using a concept called an "unpaid subsidy," reflecting the extra support your employer provides beyond your actual productivity.

Protecting Your Benefits: Practical Steps for Minnesota Workers

Working while on SSDI without proper planning can lead to overpayments — money the SSA demands back, sometimes years later. Taking proactive steps protects you legally and financially.

• Report all work activity promptly. Notify your local Social Security office in writing whenever you begin a job, change jobs, or change your earnings. In Minnesota, SSA field offices are located in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, and other cities. Reporting prevents overpayments from accumulating.
• Use a Ticket to Work. The SSA's Ticket to Work program connects beneficiaries with Employment Networks and State VR agencies — including Minnesota's DEED — that can help you return to work while protecting your benefits. Participation in the program can also pause continuing disability reviews.
• Track your Trial Work Period months. Many beneficiaries do not realize they are burning through their nine TWP months until it is too late. Request your work history record from the SSA periodically and keep your own log of monthly earnings.
• Document your medical condition continuously. Even while working, maintain regular appointments with your treating physicians. If your job ends due to your disability, current medical records will support reinstatement of benefits or a new application.
• Consult a disability attorney before starting work. The interaction between SSDI, Medicare continuation, Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid), and employment income is complex. A qualified attorney can model the financial impact before you take any action.

Minnesota also has a Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program, which allows working individuals with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage even if their earnings would otherwise make them ineligible. This is a valuable bridge for SSDI recipients who begin working and face the prospect of losing Medicare before their condition is truly stable.

The rules governing work and SSDI are detailed and unforgiving when violated. A single miscalculation can result in a demand for repayment of thousands of dollars. However, with the right guidance and careful planning, many disability recipients in Minnesota successfully return to part-time or even full-time work while protecting their benefits during the transition period.

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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