SSDI Trial Work Period: Alaska Claimants Guide

Returning to work after a disabling condition is a significant decision, and many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients in Alaska fear that earning any income will immediately end their benefits. The Trial Work Period (TWP) is a federal program provision specifically designed to remove that fear. It allows disability beneficiaries to test their ability to work without risking their monthly payments — at least initially. Understanding exactly how this program works, and what happens after it ends, is essential for any Alaska resident receiving SSDI.

What Is the Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a nine-month window during which SSDI beneficiaries can work and earn income at any level without losing their monthly disability benefit. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not count these months against you, regardless of how much you earn, as long as you continue to have a disabling condition.

The nine months do not have to be consecutive. The SSA tracks TWP months within a rolling 60-month (five-year) period. Once you accumulate nine service months within that 60-month window, your Trial Work Period is considered complete.

A month counts as a Trial Work Period service month when your gross earnings exceed a threshold set by the SSA. For 2024, that threshold is $1,110 per month. If you are self-employed, a month counts if you work more than 80 hours in that month, regardless of profit. These thresholds are adjusted periodically for inflation, so always verify the current figure with your local SSA field office or the SSA website.

How the Trial Work Period Functions in Alaska

Alaska residents follow the same federal TWP rules as beneficiaries in the lower 48 states. However, Alaska's economy introduces some unique practical considerations. Many Alaskans work seasonal jobs — commercial fishing, oil field work, tourism, or construction — where income spikes dramatically for a few months and then drops off entirely. This employment pattern can trigger multiple TWP service months in rapid succession without the worker intending to test a full return to work.

For example, an Alaska SSDI recipient who takes a three-month fishing boat position and earns $4,000 per month would consume three TWP service months in a single season. If this happens over three successive summers, the entire nine-month TWP could be exhausted before the individual realizes it. Understanding this dynamic is critical for Alaskan beneficiaries before accepting any seasonal work.

Additionally, Alaska's higher cost of living means beneficiaries must carefully evaluate whether seasonal wages actually support long-term financial independence — especially given what may happen to benefits once the TWP ends.

What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends

Once you exhaust your nine Trial Work Period months, the SSA enters what is called the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts 36 consecutive months. During the EPE, the SSA reviews your earnings each month against the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold. In 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals.

If your earnings exceed SGA during the EPE, you will not receive your SSDI benefit for that month. If your earnings fall below SGA — due to seasonal work ending, medical complications, or reduced hours — your benefit is automatically reinstated without filing a new application. This flexibility is one of the most valuable features of SSDI for workers in Alaska's boom-and-bust economy.

After the 36-month EPE concludes, the stakes rise significantly:

• If you earn above SGA after the EPE ends, your SSDI benefits will be terminated.
• If your benefits are terminated and you later become unable to work again due to the same or a related disability, you may qualify for Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) within five years of termination — without filing a brand-new application.
• Medicare coverage continues for at least 93 months after your TWP begins, even if SSDI cash benefits end.

Reporting Requirements and Common Mistakes

The SSA requires that you report all work activity promptly once you begin working. Failing to report earnings during the Trial Work Period is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes SSDI recipients make. If the SSA later discovers unreported work, they can calculate an overpayment and demand repayment of all benefits paid during months you were working above SGA, plus potential penalties.

In Alaska, where some employment is informal, cash-based, or tied to subsistence activities, beneficiaries sometimes underestimate what constitutes reportable work. Even part-time wage work, self-employment on fishing permits, or paid caregiving services may need to be reported depending on the earnings level.

To protect yourself, follow these steps:

• Report any work activity to SSA in writing and keep copies of all correspondence.
• Contact your local Alaska SSA field office — located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau — when you first consider returning to work.
• Ask SSA to document the start of your Trial Work Period so there is no dispute later about which months count.
• Keep pay stubs, employer letters, and any self-employment records for at least five years.
• If you work through a ticket program or vocational rehabilitation in Alaska, ask how those services interact with your TWP.

Planning a Smart Return to Work in Alaska

The Trial Work Period is best used as a deliberate, planned test — not an accidental one. Before accepting employment, consider whether your medical condition is truly stable enough to sustain work. Alaska's remote locations, long commutes, and physically demanding jobs can accelerate medical deterioration. A strong return to work plan, ideally developed with a vocational counselor or attorney familiar with SSDI, accounts for both the financial and medical dimensions of employment.

Alaska Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) offers services specifically designed to help SSDI recipients explore work options without jeopardizing benefits. DVR can fund job training, assistive technology, and supported employment in a way that coordinates with SSA's Ticket to Work program. Using these resources can give you the best chance of a sustainable return to work while preserving your safety net during the transition.

If you are approaching the end of your Trial Work Period or have already exhausted it, consult with an attorney before taking any new work. The difference between keeping your benefits and losing them may come down to whether your earnings are correctly classified, whether work expenses reduce your countable income, or whether impairment-related work expenses (IRWEs) bring your net earnings below SGA. These calculations are technical, and errors — in either direction — are common.

The SSDI system rewards those who plan carefully. Alaska beneficiaries who understand the Trial Work Period, track their service months, report promptly, and use available vocational resources put themselves in the strongest possible position to either sustain a successful return to work or preserve their benefits if work proves unsustainable.

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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