SSDI Trial Work Period: Florida Guide

Returning to work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is one of the most nerve-wracking decisions a disabled Floridian can face. The fear of losing hard-won benefits stops many people from ever testing their ability to work again. The Trial Work Period (TWP) exists precisely to remove that barrier — giving you a protected window to attempt employment without immediately forfeiting your monthly SSDI payments.

Understanding how the TWP works, what triggers it, and how to protect yourself during this period can make the difference between a successful return to work and an unexpected benefits disruption.

What Is the SSDI Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a Social Security Administration (SSA) program that allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month window. During each of those nine months, you receive your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn — as long as you report your work activity to the SSA.

The nine months do not need to be consecutive. You could work three months, stop for a year due to your disability, then work six more months and still remain within your TWP. What matters is that the nine months fall within any 60-month period.

For 2024 and 2025, a month counts as a Trial Work Period month when your gross earnings exceed $1,110 per month. If you are self-employed, a month counts if you work more than 80 hours in that month or earn above the threshold after business expenses.

How the TWP Works in Florida

Florida SSDI recipients follow the same federal TWP rules as all other states, since SSDI is a federal program administered by the SSA. However, Florida-specific factors can influence how the TWP plays out in practice.

Florida operates under the SSA's Atlanta Region (Region IV), which processes disability claims for the southeastern United States. The Jacksonville Disability Hearing Office and the Tampa and Miami hearing offices handle appeals for Florida claimants. If a dispute arises about whether certain work activity triggered a TWP month — or whether you properly reported earnings — these regional offices will adjudicate the matter.

Florida's robust gig economy, particularly in tourism, logistics, and healthcare, means that many Florida SSDI recipients attempt part-time or intermittent work in these sectors. Gig income can be irregular, making it critical to track monthly gross earnings carefully rather than relying on annual averages.

What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends

Once you exhaust all nine TWP months, the SSA evaluates whether your work activity constitutes Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). For 2025, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,620 per month (or $2,700 per month if you are blind).

After the TWP, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE:

• You receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold
• Benefits are suspended — not terminated — in months where earnings exceed SGA
• If your income drops below SGA during the EPE, benefits are reinstated without filing a new application
• If your earnings consistently exceed SGA throughout the EPE, the SSA will eventually terminate your benefits

This distinction between suspension and termination is critical. Many Florida claimants mistakenly believe their benefits are permanently gone once suspended during the EPE, when in fact they may still be entitled to payments in lower-earning months.

Reporting Requirements and Common Mistakes

The SSA places the burden of reporting work activity squarely on you. Failure to properly report earnings — even if unintentional — can result in overpayments that the SSA will demand be repaid, sometimes years after the fact. Florida claimants have faced overpayment demands of $20,000 or more due to unreported trial work.

You must report the following to the SSA promptly:

• Any return to work, including part-time, seasonal, or gig work
• Changes in your monthly gross earnings
• Changes in your work duties or hours
• Self-employment income and business expenses
• Any work-related accommodations provided by your employer

Report changes online through your My Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Florida Social Security field office. Keep copies of every communication — confirmation numbers, letters, and dated notes from phone calls.

One of the most common mistakes Florida claimants make is assuming that because taxes are withheld from a paycheck, the SSA is already aware of the income. The SSA does not receive real-time wage data. You must report independently and proactively.

Protecting Your Benefits During the Trial Work Period

The TWP offers significant protection, but only if you use it strategically. Several steps can help safeguard your benefits during this critical window:

• Document your medical condition throughout the period. Continue treatment and maintain records showing your disability persists. The SSA may conduct a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) during or after your TWP.
• Track impairment-related work expenses (IRWEs). Costs you pay out of pocket that are necessary for you to work — such as specialized transportation, medical equipment, or prescription medications — can be deducted from your gross earnings when the SSA evaluates whether you are performing SGA.
• Explore Ticket to Work. Florida residents can participate in the SSA's Ticket to Work program, which connects SSDI beneficiaries with employment networks and may provide additional protections against certain CDRs.
• Consult a benefits counselor. Florida's Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs, funded through the SSA, provide free benefits counseling to help you understand how work will affect your SSDI, Medicare, and any other benefits you receive.

Medicare coverage adds another layer of complexity. SSDI recipients generally retain Medicare for at least 93 months after their TWP begins — a significant protection given Florida's healthcare costs. Understanding exactly when your Medicare coverage begins, changes, or ends during the TWP and EPE requires careful tracking of your benefit start dates.

When the SSA Disputes Your Trial Work Period

Disputes over whether certain months triggered TWP usage, whether earnings were properly calculated, or whether an overpayment is valid are not uncommon. Florida claimants have the right to appeal adverse SSA decisions through a multi-step process: reconsideration, hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Appeals Council review, and federal court review.

If the SSA issues an overpayment notice related to your trial work activity, you may request a waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship and you were not at fault for the overpayment. These waiver requests require detailed financial documentation and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Time limits are strict. You generally have 60 days from receipt of an SSA decision to file an appeal. Missing that deadline can result in losing your right to challenge the decision entirely.

The rules governing the Trial Work Period are detailed and unforgiving of administrative errors. Protecting your SSDI benefits during a return-to-work attempt requires accurate reporting, strategic use of work incentives, and a clear understanding of how the EPE operates after your TWP months are exhausted.

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

• Average SSDI Payment in Minnesota: What to Expect
• SSDI Work Credits: How Many Do You Need?
• SSDI Processing Times in Maine: What to Expect