SSDI Trial Work Period in South Dakota

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients in South Dakota who want to test their ability to return to work have a valuable safety net: the Trial Work Period (TWP). This program allows beneficiaries to attempt employment without immediately losing their disability benefits, providing crucial financial protection during the transition back to the workforce.

Understanding how the Trial Work Period operates can mean the difference between successfully returning to work and facing unexpected benefit termination. The rules are complex, and mistakes can result in overpayments that must be repaid to the Social Security Administration.

What Is the Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a nine-month period during which SSDI beneficiaries can test their ability to work while continuing to receive full disability benefits, regardless of earnings. These nine months do not need to be consecutive and can occur over a rolling 60-month period. This flexibility allows beneficiaries to attempt work, stop if necessary, and try again without penalty.

During the TWP, the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates whether you have performed "services" that count toward the nine-month limit. In 2024, a month counts as a trial work month if you earn more than $1,110 or work more than 80 self-employed hours in that month. These threshold amounts adjust annually for inflation.

For South Dakota residents, the Trial Work Period operates under the same federal guidelines that apply nationwide. However, local economic conditions and employment opportunities in South Dakota may influence how beneficiaries approach their return-to-work decisions.

How the Trial Work Period Functions

The mechanics of the TWP involve several important stages that every South Dakota SSDI recipient should understand before attempting to return to work:

• Notification: When you begin working, you must report your employment to the SSA immediately, even during the Trial Work Period
• Tracking: The SSA tracks each month where your earnings exceed the TWP threshold or you work more than 80 hours if self-employed
• Benefit continuation: Throughout all nine trial work months, you receive full SSDI benefits regardless of income level
• Medical review: Your medical condition must still meet SSA disability standards; the TWP does not suspend medical eligibility requirements
• Completion: Once you have used all nine trial work months within the 60-month rolling period, the TWP ends

Many beneficiaries mistakenly believe they can work without reporting their employment during the TWP. This is incorrect and can lead to significant overpayment issues. The SSA requires prompt reporting of all work activity, typically within ten days of the month in which circumstances change.

After the Trial Work Period Ends

When the nine-month Trial Work Period concludes, beneficiaries enter what the SSA calls the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). This 36-month period immediately follows the TWP and provides additional protections for working beneficiaries.

During the EPE, the SSA applies the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) test. In 2024, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. Any month during the EPE where your earnings exceed the SGA amount, you will not receive SSDI benefits. However, months where earnings fall below SGA result in benefit payment.

This creates an important safety net for South Dakota workers whose income may fluctuate due to seasonal employment, common in agriculture and tourism sectors prevalent in the state. If health issues force a reduction in work hours and earnings drop below SGA, benefits automatically resume without requiring a new application.

Special Considerations for South Dakota Residents

South Dakota's economy presents unique factors that SSDI beneficiaries should consider when planning their Trial Work Period:

The state's significant agricultural sector means many beneficiaries may have opportunities for seasonal or part-time farm work. These positions often involve variable hours and income, which can complicate TWP tracking. Self-employment in farming requires careful documentation of hours worked, as the 80-hour monthly threshold applies rather than the earnings threshold.

South Dakota's relatively low cost of living compared to coastal states may make the transition back to work more financially feasible, even at lower wage levels. However, this same factor means that reaching SGA levels might require fewer work hours, potentially shortening the time before benefits are affected after the TWP ends.

Healthcare access in rural areas of South Dakota can be limited. Beneficiaries should carefully consider whether returning to work might jeopardize their Medicare coverage, which typically continues for 93 months after the TWP ends, even if cash benefits stop.

Protecting Your Benefits and Rights

Successfully navigating the Trial Work Period requires proactive planning and meticulous record-keeping. South Dakota SSDI beneficiaries should take these steps to protect their benefits:

• Document everything: Keep detailed records of all work hours, earnings, and medical treatments throughout the TWP and beyond
• Report promptly: Notify the SSA immediately when starting work, changing jobs, or experiencing changes in earnings
• Request written confirmation: Ask the SSA to confirm in writing when your TWP begins and ends
• Maintain medical treatment: Continue regular medical care and follow prescribed treatment plans to document ongoing impairment
• Understand your rights: If benefits are terminated, you have appeal rights with strict deadlines that must be met

The SSA sometimes makes errors in calculating TWP months or determining when SGA has occurred. Regular review of earnings records and benefit statements helps identify discrepancies early when they are easier to correct.

Beneficiaries who successfully complete their Trial Work Period and return to sustainable employment have achieved significant personal and professional milestones. However, those whose health prevents continued work retain important protections. Within five years of benefit termination due to SGA-level work, former beneficiaries can request Expedited Reinstatement if their disability prevents continued employment, avoiding the lengthy new application process.

The Trial Work Period represents an opportunity for South Dakota SSDI recipients to test their work capacity without risking immediate benefit loss. Proper understanding and strategic use of this program can facilitate successful transitions back to employment while maintaining crucial financial and medical protections during uncertain times.

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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