Working Part Time on SSDI in Illinois: Your Rights

Many Illinois residents who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits wonder whether they can supplement their income with part-time work. The short answer is yes — but the rules are specific, and violating them can result in overpayments, benefit suspension, or termination. Understanding exactly how the Social Security Administration (SSA) treats part-time earnings is essential before you accept any paycheck.

The Substantial Gainful Activity Threshold

The SSA uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether your work is significant enough to affect your benefits. For 2025, the SGA limit for non-blind SSDI recipients is $1,550 per month in gross earnings. For blind individuals, the limit is higher at $2,590 per month.

If your part-time earnings consistently stay below the SGA threshold, the SSA generally will not count that work as evidence that your disability has ended. However, gross earnings are not the only factor. The SSA may also look at whether your work is comparable to what a non-disabled person earns for similar duties — this is called an "earnings comparability" test. Illinois workers should be aware that tips, bonuses, and in-kind payments all count toward that monthly gross figure.

Exceeding SGA even for a single month can trigger a review of your case. It does not automatically end your benefits, but it starts a process that demands your attention and, often, professional guidance.

The Trial Work Period: A Critical Safeguard

Federal law gives SSDI recipients a Trial Work Period (TWP) — a protected window in which you can test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits. During the TWP, you receive full SSDI payments regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity and continue to have a qualifying disability.

The TWP consists of nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month window. For 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 counts as a trial work month. Once you have used all nine months, you enter what is called the Extended Period of Eligibility.

Key points Illinois SSDI recipients must understand about the TWP:

• You must report all work activity to the SSA promptly, even during the TWP.
• The nine months do not have to be consecutive — they accumulate over a five-year rolling window.
• Self-employment income counts based on net profit and hours worked, not just gross receipts.
• Illinois does not have a separate state-level TWP equivalent — federal rules govern entirely.

After the Trial Work Period: The Extended Period of Eligibility

Once your nine trial work months are exhausted, a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins. During the EPE, you receive SSDI benefits for every month your earnings fall below SGA. Any month you earn above SGA, your benefit is withheld — but it can be reinstated without a new application if earnings drop back below the threshold within that 36-month window.

After the EPE ends, exceeding SGA in any month will terminate your SSDI benefits. However, if your disability returns within five years and prevents you from maintaining SGA-level work, you can request Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) — a federal provision that allows benefits to resume without filing a brand-new application. This is a powerful protection that many Illinois claimants overlook when planning a return to work.

Work Incentives and Illinois-Specific Resources

The SSA offers several work incentive programs beyond the TWP that can make part-time work more feasible for Illinois disability recipients.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): If you pay out-of-pocket for items or services that are necessary for you to work because of your disability — such as prescription medication, specialized transportation, or medical equipment — those costs can be deducted from your gross earnings before the SSA determines whether you are engaging in SGA. For example, if you earn $1,700 per month but spend $200 on disability-related work expenses, the SSA may count only $1,500 toward the SGA limit.

Ticket to Work Program: Illinois residents receiving SSDI can enroll in the SSA's Ticket to Work program, which connects beneficiaries with Employment Networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation services. Participation in Ticket to Work temporarily suspends Continuing Disability Reviews while you are making timely progress. Illinois's Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the primary state agency that administers vocational support and can help you find part-time employment suited to your limitations.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): If you have a specific employment goal, the SSA may approve a PASS plan that allows you to set aside income or resources to fund job training, equipment, or business startup costs without those assets counting against your SSI or SSDI eligibility calculations.

Your Reporting Obligations Are Non-Negotiable

One of the most serious mistakes Illinois SSDI recipients make is failing to report work activity promptly. The SSA requires you to report:

• The start date of any job, including part-time or seasonal work.
• Any change in your gross wages or hours.
• The end date of employment.
• Any self-employment activity, even informal gig work or freelancing.

Failure to report can result in overpayment notices requiring you to repay months or even years of benefits. Illinois recipients have faced five-figure overpayment demands in situations where timely disclosure would have prevented the problem entirely. The SSA does offer waiver and repayment plan options, but avoiding the issue through proper reporting is always the better path.

When reporting, use the SSA's my Social Security online portal, call your local Social Security office, or submit written notification. Keep dated copies of everything you send. If you are working with an Illinois employer that withholds FICA taxes, those wage records will eventually reach the SSA — it is always better to self-report first.

Part-time work while receiving SSDI in Illinois is not only possible but actively encouraged by federal policy. The system is designed with protections — like the Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, and Expedited Reinstatement — to let you test your capacity without catastrophic risk to your income. The key is to understand the thresholds, use available work incentives, and never allow earnings to go unreported.

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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