SSDI Trial Work Period in Wyoming

Returning to work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the SSDI program. Many Wyoming recipients fear that any employment will immediately terminate their benefits, so they avoid work altogether. The Trial Work Period (TWP) was designed precisely to address that fear — it allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work without immediately losing their disability benefits.

Understanding how the Trial Work Period functions, what it means for your long-term benefits, and how Wyoming's job market and administrative environment affect your situation can make the difference between a successful return to work and an unexpected loss of income.

What Is the Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a Social Security Administration (SSA) program that gives SSDI recipients up to nine months to test their capacity to work, regardless of how much they earn during those months. During this period, you continue to receive your full SSDI benefit payment even if your earnings exceed what SSA calls Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels.

A few key rules govern the TWP:

• The nine months do not need to be consecutive — they are counted within a rolling 60-month (five-year) window.
• In 2024, any month in which you earn $1,110 or more (gross) counts as a Trial Work Period month. This threshold adjusts annually.
• Self-employed individuals trigger a TWP month by working more than 80 hours in a month, regardless of net income.
• The TWP begins the month you start receiving SSDI benefits or the month you begin working, whichever is later.

Once you have used all nine TWP months, SSA evaluates whether your work constitutes Substantial Gainful Activity. If it does, your benefits may stop — but several important protections still apply.

What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends?

After exhausting your nine Trial Work Period months, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts 36 months. During the EPE, you receive benefits for any month in which your earnings fall below the SGA threshold. As of 2024, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals.

This means that if you return to work after your TWP ends but later experience a setback — a flare-up of your condition, a layoff, or reduced hours — you can request reinstatement of your benefits without filing an entirely new application, provided you remain within the 36-month EPE window.

Wyoming residents should note that SSA's Denver Region office (Region VIII) processes Wyoming SSDI cases. Processing times and administrative contacts at the Wyoming Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Cheyenne may affect how quickly your work activity is reviewed and documented. Prompt reporting and careful record-keeping are especially important given regional processing timelines.

Reporting Work Activity in Wyoming

One of the most critical — and most overlooked — obligations for Wyoming SSDI recipients is the duty to report work activity to SSA promptly. Failure to report earnings can result in overpayments that SSA will seek to recover, sometimes years after the fact.

You must report to SSA:

• When you start or stop working, including part-time or seasonal work common in Wyoming's agriculture and tourism sectors.
• Any change in your duties, hours, or pay rate.
• If you become self-employed, including ranch or farming operations, which are economically significant in Wyoming.
• Any in-kind compensation, such as housing or food received in exchange for work on a ranch or farm.

Wyoming's significant agricultural economy means that many disabled individuals work in ways that are difficult to categorize — helping on a family farm, doing part-time ranch chores, or seasonal tourism employment in Yellowstone-adjacent communities like Cody or Jackson Hole. SSA evaluates self-employment differently than wage employment, looking at the value of services you provide and whether your work is comparable to non-disabled individuals performing similar tasks. Document everything carefully.

You can report work activity by contacting your local Wyoming SSA field office in Cheyenne, Casper, Rock Springs, or Gillette, by calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213, or through your My Social Security online account.

Work Incentives That Support Your Trial Work Period

The Trial Work Period does not stand alone. SSA offers additional work incentives that can significantly reduce the financial risk of attempting to return to employment:

• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Costs you pay out of pocket for items or services that allow you to work — such as medications, specialized transportation, or adaptive equipment — can be deducted from your gross earnings when SSA calculates whether you are engaging in SGA. For Wyoming residents in rural areas, transportation costs to reach medical providers or workplaces may be significant and deductible.
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): If you are attempting to return to work or start a business, a PASS allows you to set aside income or resources toward a specific work goal without those resources counting against your SSI eligibility. This can be particularly useful for Wyoming residents in isolated communities exploring remote or self-employment opportunities.
• Subsidy and Special Conditions: If your employer gives you special accommodations, reduced duties, or extra supervision because of your disability, SSA may determine that the value of your work is less than your actual wages — potentially keeping your countable earnings below SGA.
• Expedited Reinstatement: If your benefits end because of SGA and you stop working within five years due to the same disability, you can request reinstatement without a new application while SSA reviews your case.

Common Mistakes Wyoming Claimants Make During the Trial Work Period

Years of experience handling SSDI cases reveals a consistent pattern of errors that Wyoming claimants make when attempting to navigate the Trial Work Period without guidance:

• Failing to report earnings on time, resulting in large overpayments that SSA demands repaid in full.
• Assuming that part-time or informal work does not need to be reported — SSA considers all work activity, including helping with a family business or performing household services for pay.
• Not tracking TWP months, leading to surprise benefit terminations after the ninth month.
• Ignoring the Extended Period of Eligibility, and failing to request reinstatement after a work attempt fails within that 36-month window.
• Missing the deadline to appeal a cessation decision. If SSA terminates your benefits after your TWP ends, you have 60 days to appeal, and you may be able to request continued benefits during the appeal through a process called "appeal with continuation of benefits."

Wyoming's sparse population means that many residents do not have easy access to legal assistance or SSA offices. That geographic reality makes it even more important to understand your rights and obligations thoroughly before beginning any work activity during your benefit period.

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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