SSDI Trial Work Period: New Jersey Guide

Returning to work after receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is one of the most significant decisions a disabled individual can make. For New Jersey residents, understanding the Trial Work Period (TWP) is essential before taking that first step back into the workforce. The Social Security Administration (SSA) designed this program specifically to allow beneficiaries to test their ability to work without immediately losing their disability benefits.

What Is the SSDI Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a federally administered program that gives SSDI recipients the opportunity to work for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month window without forfeiting their disability benefits. During these nine trial months, you receive your full SSDI payment regardless of how much you earn, provided you continue to have a disabling condition.

A month counts as a "trial work month" in 2026 if your gross earnings exceed $1,110 per month. This threshold is adjusted annually by the SSA. The nine months do not need to be consecutive — they simply need to fall within the same 60-month period. Many New Jersey workers are surprised to learn that even part-time work can trigger a trial work month if earnings cross this threshold.

It is critical to understand that the TWP applies exclusively to SSDI recipients. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients operate under an entirely different set of work incentive rules, so confirming which program you receive benefits under is the necessary first step.

How the Trial Work Period Works in Practice

Consider a New Jersey resident receiving SSDI who accepts a part-time position paying $1,300 per month. Because that amount exceeds the monthly trial work threshold, each month of that job counts toward one of the nine allowable trial work months. The SSA will continue paying full SSDI benefits throughout this period.

After exhausting all nine trial work months, the SSA evaluates whether your earnings constitute Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2026, the SGA threshold for non-blind individuals is $1,620 per month. If your earnings exceed SGA after the TWP ends, a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins. During the EPE, benefits are suspended in months you earn above SGA but can be reinstated in months your earnings drop below that level — without having to file a new application.

New Jersey workers should be aware that state-level vocational rehabilitation services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) often coordinate with SSA work incentive programs. Participating in DVRS job training or placement programs can sometimes affect how the SSA counts your work activity, so documenting all participation carefully is important.

Reporting Requirements for New Jersey SSDI Recipients

One of the most common and costly mistakes New Jersey SSDI recipients make is failing to promptly report work activity to the SSA. Federal law requires you to report any work you perform — paid or unpaid — to the SSA. Failure to do so can result in significant overpayment demands, which the SSA will seek to recoup, sometimes by withholding future benefits.

When reporting, you should provide:

• Your start date of employment
• The name and address of your employer
• Your gross monthly wages before any deductions
• Hours worked per week or month
• Any impairment-related work expenses (IRWEs) you incur

New Jersey recipients can report work activity by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security field office, or through your My Social Security online account. The SSA field offices serving New Jersey are located throughout the state, including offices in Newark, Trenton, Camden, and Cherry Hill. Keeping written records of every report you make — including dates, names of SSA representatives, and confirmation numbers — protects you if a dispute arises later.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Their Impact

New Jersey SSDI recipients often overlook a powerful financial tool called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs). The SSA allows you to deduct the cost of certain disability-related items and services you need in order to work from your gross earnings when calculating whether you have reached SGA. This can effectively lower your countable income and extend the period during which you remain eligible for benefits.

Qualifying IRWEs commonly claimed by New Jersey workers include:

• Prescription medications required to manage your disabling condition
• Specialized transportation costs if you cannot use public transit due to your disability
• Medical devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or prosthetics
• Home attendant services needed to prepare for work
• Modified or adaptive equipment required at the workplace

New Jersey has a higher cost of living than many states, making IRWEs particularly valuable here. A commuter in Bergen County paying for specialized paratransit services, for example, may be able to deduct hundreds of dollars monthly from their countable earnings. Documenting these expenses meticulously — with receipts and physician letters confirming medical necessity — is essential for the SSA to approve the deductions.

What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends

Once your nine trial work months are used, the SSA conducts a thorough review of your case. If the SSA determines your condition has medically improved and you can perform SGA, benefits may be terminated. However, if you lose your job or your earnings fall below SGA during the 36-month EPE, you can request expedited reinstatement of benefits without starting the full application process over again.

Additionally, for five years after your benefits terminate due to SGA-level work, you retain the right to expedited reinstatement if your medical condition prevents you from continuing to work. This protection, established under federal law, is particularly valuable for New Jersey workers in physically demanding industries — such as construction, warehousing, or healthcare — where reinjury or relapse is a realistic risk.

New Jersey residents should also be aware that state-level benefits, such as New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) or State Plan benefits, operate independently of SSDI. Receiving state disability payments does not necessarily affect your SSDI trial work period, but any wages earned through employment absolutely will count. Consulting with a benefits counselor through the New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education or a Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program provider can help you navigate both state and federal systems simultaneously.

Navigating the Trial Work Period without guidance is risky. Miscalculating your trial months, failing to report earnings, or misunderstanding the Extended Period of Eligibility can result in overpayments that follow you for years. An experienced SSDI attorney can help you document your work activity correctly, maximize your IRWEs, and protect your benefits throughout the process.

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

• California SSDI Claim Denied: What to Do Next
• Working While on SSDI: What Mississippi Recipients Must Know
• SSDI for Herniated Disc in Minnesota