SSDI Trial Work Period in Rhode Island

Returning to work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is a significant decision, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a structured pathway to test your ability to work without immediately losing your benefits. This pathway is known as the Trial Work Period (TWP). Understanding exactly how it works—and how Rhode Island residents can navigate it strategically—can make the difference between a successful return to the workforce and a costly benefits disruption.

What Is the Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period allows SSDI recipients to test their capacity to return to work for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month window, without those months needing to be consecutive. During this period, you continue to receive your full SSDI payment regardless of how much you earn, provided you continue to meet the SSA's medical disability requirements.

A month counts as a Trial Work Period month in 2024 when your gross earnings exceed $1,110 per month (this threshold adjusts annually for inflation). Self-employed individuals have different rules—if you work more than 80 hours in a month in your own business, that month also counts as a TWP month, even if your net earnings fall below the threshold.

Once you have used all nine Trial Work Period months, the SSA evaluates whether your work activity constitutes Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2024, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If your earnings exceed SGA after the TWP ends, your benefits may be terminated.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After the Trial Work Period concludes, Rhode Island SSDI beneficiaries enter a 36-month window called the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this phase, you remain eligible to receive SSDI benefits for any month in which your earnings fall below the SGA threshold—without having to file a new disability application.

This is critically important protection. If your health worsens, you lose your job, or your hours are cut, you can resume receiving benefits quickly, without the delay and uncertainty of a new application. You simply notify the SSA that your earnings have dropped below SGA.

For Rhode Island residents, understanding the EPE can provide meaningful financial stability during what is often a physically and emotionally demanding transition back to employment.

Reporting Requirements for Rhode Island SSDI Recipients

One of the most common—and most costly—mistakes SSDI recipients make is failing to properly report their work activity to the SSA. Rhode Island beneficiaries must report any return to work, whether part-time or full-time, as soon as they begin working. Reporting obligations include:

• The date you started working
• The name and address of your employer
• Your rate of pay and typical hours per week
• Any changes to your job duties, pay rate, or hours
• When you stop working

Failure to report work activity can result in overpayments—situations where the SSA determines you received benefits you were not entitled to. Overpayments must be repaid and can involve penalties in serious cases. Rhode Island recipients should report changes to the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting the Providence SSA field office, or using the SSA's online portal at ssa.gov. Keep written records of every communication you have with the SSA, including dates, representative names, and confirmation numbers.

Work Incentives That Complement the Trial Work Period

The SSA offers several additional work incentive programs that Rhode Island SSDI recipients should know about, as these can be used alongside or after the Trial Work Period:

• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Costs for items or services you need to work because of your disability—such as medications, medical equipment, or transportation to medical appointments—can be deducted from your gross earnings when the SSA calculates whether you are performing SGA. Rhode Island residents with significant disability-related work costs may find this deduction meaningfully lowers their countable income.
• Subsidy and Special Conditions: If your employer provides extra support, supervision, or accommodations beyond what a non-disabled employee would receive, the SSA may reduce the earnings counted toward SGA to reflect the subsidy you receive.
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): A PASS allows you to set aside income or resources for a specific time period to pursue a work goal. This can be valuable for Rhode Island recipients looking to return to school, start a business, or obtain vocational training.
• Ticket to Work: Rhode Island residents can access free employment support services through SSA's Ticket to Work program, which connects beneficiaries with approved Employment Networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies—including Rhode Island's Office of Rehabilitative Services.

Rhode Island's Office of Rehabilitative Services (ORS) can be a particularly valuable resource. ORS provides vocational rehabilitation services including career counseling, job placement assistance, and training funding to eligible Rhode Island residents with disabilities. Using ORS services while on SSDI does not jeopardize your Trial Work Period rights.

What Happens If Benefits Are Terminated After the TWP

If your benefits end because your earnings exceed SGA after the Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility, you are not necessarily without options. The SSA's Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) provision allows former beneficiaries to request reinstatement of SSDI benefits within five years of termination if their disability has returned or worsened and their earnings fall below SGA again.

Under EXR, the SSA can provide up to six months of provisional benefits while your reinstatement request is reviewed—giving Rhode Island residents critical income support during a medical or employment setback. This avoids the need to file a completely new disability application and restart the lengthy initial determination process.

It is also worth knowing that if your benefits are terminated and you disagree with the SSA's determination, you have the right to appeal. The appeals process includes a request for reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and further review if necessary. Deadlines are strict—typically 60 days from the date of notice—so acting promptly is essential.

Rhode Island residents facing a benefits termination after a Trial Work Period should consult with a disability attorney as early as possible. An attorney can review your earnings records, identify applicable deductions like IRWE, and determine whether the SSA correctly calculated your countable income before your benefits were terminated.

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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