SSDI Trial Work Period: Idaho Claimants Guide

Returning to work after a disability is a significant milestone, but many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients in Idaho fear losing their benefits the moment they earn a paycheck. The Trial Work Period (TWP) is a federal program provision specifically designed to eliminate that fear. It gives beneficiaries a protected window to test their ability to work without immediately forfeiting the monthly disability payments they depend on. Understanding how this provision works — and the rules that govern it — is essential for any Idaho resident receiving SSDI benefits.

What Is the SSDI Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a Social Security Administration (SSA) program that allows SSDI beneficiaries to attempt returning to full or part-time employment for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month window. During these nine months, you continue receiving your full SSDI benefit payment regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity to the SSA.

The nine months do not have to be consecutive. As long as you accumulate nine trial work months within any 60-month period, you have used your full Trial Work Period. This rolling window is important for Idaho workers whose employment may be seasonal or inconsistent due to the state's agricultural and outdoor recreation industries.

For 2024, a month counts as a Trial Work Period month when your gross earnings exceed $1,110. If you are self-employed, the threshold is based on hours worked — more than 80 hours in a month triggers a TWP month even if your net profit falls below the dollar threshold.

How the Trial Work Period Works in Idaho

Idaho does not administer its own separate disability program on top of federal SSDI, so the Trial Work Period rules that apply to claimants in Boise, Pocatello, Twin Falls, or any other part of the state are the same federal rules set by the SSA. However, there are important practical considerations for Idaho residents:

• Report all work activity promptly. Idaho beneficiaries must report any employment to the SSA as soon as they begin working, even if earnings are minimal. Failure to report is treated as fraud and can result in significant overpayment demands.
• Seasonal work is common in Idaho. Agriculture, forestry, and tourism employ many Idahoans on a seasonal basis. Each month in which your earnings cross the threshold counts as a TWP month, even if the job is temporary.
• Self-employment rules apply to Idaho ranchers and farmers. If you attempt to return to operating a farm or small business, the SSA evaluates your work under both the earnings and the 80-hour rule, whichever applies first.
• Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) can assist beneficiaries who want to re-enter the workforce. IDVR services used during the TWP do not count against your benefits and may help you determine whether your impairment truly prevents sustained employment.

Throughout the Trial Work Period, the SSA does not evaluate whether your work rises to the level of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA analysis only begins after you have exhausted your nine trial work months.

What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends

Once you have used all nine trial work months, you enter what the SSA calls the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts 36 months. During the EPE, the SSA monitors your monthly earnings against the SGA threshold — $1,550 per month in 2024 for non-blind individuals.

If your earnings stay below the SGA level during the EPE, you continue receiving full SSDI benefits. If your earnings exceed SGA in any given month, benefits for that month are suspended. Critically, if your earnings fall back below SGA during the 36-month EPE, you can request that benefits be reinstated without filing a new application. This protection is particularly valuable for Idaho workers in physically demanding fields where injuries or flare-ups may interrupt employment.

After the EPE expires, if you are still working above SGA, your SSDI case is closed. At that point, a new application is required to receive benefits again, unless you qualify for Expedited Reinstatement (EXR), which allows certain former beneficiaries to request temporary benefits while a new application is reviewed.

Medicare Continuation During and After the Trial Work Period

One of the most valuable protections tied to the Trial Work Period is the continuation of Medicare coverage. Idaho SSDI recipients who have been entitled to Medicare do not lose that coverage when they begin working. Medicare continues for at least 93 months (roughly 7.5 years) after the Trial Work Period begins, even if your SSDI cash benefits stop due to earnings above SGA.

For many Idaho residents managing chronic conditions, ongoing cancer treatment, or serious orthopedic impairments, maintaining Medicare during a return-to-work attempt is often more valuable than the monthly cash benefit itself. Losing access to specialists, medications, or therapy could make continued employment impossible. The extended Medicare period exists precisely to prevent that outcome.

If your Medicare does eventually end and you remain employed, you may be eligible to purchase Medicare Buy-In coverage under the Ticket to Work program, provided your income and resources fall within allowable limits.

Practical Steps for Idaho Beneficiaries Considering a Return to Work

Before accepting a job offer or starting a business while on SSDI, Idaho beneficiaries should take several concrete steps to protect their benefits:

• Contact your local SSA field office. Idaho has field offices in Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Coeur d'Alene. Notify the SSA in writing that you are beginning work and keep a copy of all correspondence.
• Track your TWP months carefully. Maintain a personal record of which months your earnings crossed the $1,110 threshold. Do not rely solely on the SSA's records — errors occur and you may need to dispute the count.
• Use the Ticket to Work program. The SSA's free Ticket to Work program connects Idaho beneficiaries with Employment Networks (ENs) and state vocational rehabilitation services. Participating in this program provides additional protections against Continuing Disability Reviews while you are making a good-faith effort to return to work.
• Understand your state's earned income resources. Idaho does not have a separate state supplement for SSDI, but Idaho residents receiving SSI alongside SSDI should understand how work income affects the SSI calculation separately from SSDI rules.
• Consult a disability attorney before earning your first check. A single month of unreported earnings above the threshold can trigger an overpayment notice months or years later. Getting legal guidance before you start — not after an overpayment demand arrives — is the most cost-effective approach.

The Trial Work Period is one of the most misunderstood provisions in Social Security disability law. Many Idaho beneficiaries either avoid work entirely out of fear, or begin working without reporting it, creating serious legal exposure. Neither approach is necessary. The system is designed to encourage return-to-work attempts, and the protections are meaningful when used correctly.

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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