Can You Work While Receiving SSDI Benefits?

Many Social Security Disability Insurance recipients worry that earning any income will immediately end their benefits. The reality is more nuanced. The Social Security Administration has built specific work incentive programs into the SSDI system that allow you to test your ability to return to work without automatically losing your monthly payments. Understanding these rules is essential for any Texas resident receiving SSDI benefits.

The Substantial Gainful Activity Threshold

The cornerstone of SSDI work rules is a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, the SSA defines SGA as earning more than $1,620 per month from work activity (or $2,700 per month if you are blind). If your gross monthly earnings consistently stay below this threshold, the SSA generally will not consider you to be engaging in SGA, and your SSDI benefits remain unaffected.

It is critical to understand that SGA applies to wages and self-employment income — not investment income, rental income, or other passive sources. A Texas resident who earns $1,400 per month part-time while remaining genuinely disabled can, in most cases, continue receiving full SSDI benefits.

The SSA evaluates not just your gross earnings but also any work-related expenses you incur because of your disability. These are called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs). For example, if you require a wheelchair, special transportation, or prescription medications that allow you to work, those costs can be deducted from your gross earnings when determining whether you have crossed the SGA line.

The Trial Work Period: Nine Months to Test the Waters

Even if you earn above the SGA limit, the SSA does not immediately cut off your benefits. Every SSDI recipient is entitled to a Trial Work Period (TWP), which consists of nine months — not necessarily consecutive — within any rolling 60-month window during which you can work and earn at any level while still collecting full SSDI payments.

In 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (or spend more than 80 hours in self-employment) counts as a trial work month. Once you use all nine trial work months, the SSA reviews your case to determine whether you have demonstrated the ability to engage in SGA.

After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this window, your benefits can be reinstated for any month your earnings drop below the SGA threshold — without having to file a new application. This safety net is particularly valuable for Texans who take on seasonal work or face fluctuating employment due to their condition.

Ticket to Work and Vocational Rehabilitation in Texas

The SSA's Ticket to Work program is a free and voluntary program for SSDI recipients between the ages of 18 and 64. Participants can connect with approved Employment Networks (ENs) or state vocational rehabilitation agencies to receive career counseling, job placement assistance, and ongoing support — all without triggering a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) while actively using the ticket.

In Texas, the primary vocational rehabilitation agency is the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) — Vocational Rehabilitation Division. TWC-VR provides eligible Texans with services that may include:

• Vocational assessments and counseling
• Job skills training and education assistance
• Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
• Job placement and supported employment services
• Transportation assistance for work-related activities

Participation in the Ticket to Work program also provides protection from medical CDRs while you are making timely progress toward your employment goals. This protection is significant — it means the SSA will not initiate a routine review of your disability status while you are actively working toward self-sufficiency.

Reporting Requirements and Avoiding Overpayments

One of the most serious mistakes an SSDI recipient can make is failing to report work activity to the SSA. You are legally required to report any work you perform, regardless of how little you earn. Failure to report can result in overpayments — money the SSA will demand back, often years after the fact — and in some cases, allegations of fraud.

In Texas, recipients should report changes in work activity promptly through any of the following methods:

• Online through your My Social Security account at ssa.gov
• By calling the SSA national helpline at 1-800-772-1213
• In person at your local Social Security field office
• Through your representative payee, if applicable

When reporting, document everything. Keep pay stubs, employer letters, and records of any work-related expenses. If you are self-employed, maintain detailed records of hours worked and business income and expenses. The SSA may request this documentation during a review, and having organized records significantly reduces the risk of an adverse determination.

If you receive an overpayment notice, do not ignore it. You have the right to appeal the overpayment finding or request a waiver if the overpayment was not your fault and repayment would cause financial hardship. Acting quickly preserves your options.

When Working Can Jeopardize Your Benefits

While SSDI provides meaningful work incentives, certain actions can put your benefits at genuine risk. Earning above the SGA threshold consistently after exhausting your Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility is the most direct path to benefit termination. However, other factors also matter.

The SSA looks beyond raw earnings figures. If you perform work that demonstrates substantial mental or physical effort, the agency may determine that your activity constitutes SGA even if your pay is below the monthly limit — particularly if an employer is paying you less than your work is actually worth, a situation the SSA calls "subsidized work."

Self-employment presents additional complexity. Texas residents who freelance, operate a business, or work in the gig economy cannot simply report their net income after business deductions. The SSA applies a separate three-part test for self-employed individuals that examines services rendered, hours worked, and whether the business generates profit comparable to a non-disabled individual in the same field.

Additionally, returning to work — even temporarily — can trigger a Continuing Disability Review. While a CDR does not automatically end benefits, it does require you to demonstrate that your medical condition continues to meet disability criteria. Texans with conditions that have improved since their initial approval should consult with a disability attorney before beginning any work activity that could attract SSA scrutiny.

The interaction between SSDI, Medicare eligibility, and work activity adds another layer of complexity. SSDI recipients generally become eligible for Medicare after 24 months of benefits. Returning to work and eventually losing SSDI does not mean immediate loss of Medicare — beneficiaries who work may retain premium-free Medicare Part A for up to 93 months after their Trial Work Period begins. Understanding this timeline matters enormously for Texans whose medical care depends on Medicare coverage.

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

Related Articles

• SSDI Benefit Calculator: What Texas Claimants Get
• SSDI Work Credits: What Pennsylvania Workers Need to Know
• SSDI Application in Tennessee: What You Need