Working Part Time on SSDI in Minnesota

Many Minnesota residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) wonder whether they can work part time without losing their benefits. The short answer is yes — but the rules are specific, and crossing certain thresholds can trigger a review or termination of your benefits. Understanding how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates work activity is essential before you accept any part-time position.

Substantial Gainful Activity: The Key Threshold

The SSA uses a standard called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether your work disqualifies you from SSDI. In 2024, the monthly SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,550 per month. If your gross earnings consistently exceed this amount, the SSA may find that you are no longer disabled and move to terminate your benefits.

Part-time work that stays below the SGA threshold is generally permitted. However, the SSA does not look only at the dollar amount — it also evaluates the nature of your work, how many hours you perform it, and whether it demonstrates an ability to engage in competitive employment. Even if you earn less than $1,550 per month, the SSA can scrutinize your work activity if it suggests your condition has improved.

Minnesota residents should also be aware that state-specific vocational services through Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) can help you explore work options without inadvertently jeopardizing your benefits. VRS can provide supported employment planning that accounts for your SSDI status.

The Trial Work Period: Your Protected Window

One of the most valuable but misunderstood provisions in SSDI law is the Trial Work Period (TWP). The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for up to nine months within a 60-month rolling period without affecting your benefits, regardless of how much you earn during those months.

In 2024, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (or work more than 80 hours if self-employed) counts as a trial work month. These months do not need to be consecutive. Once you have used all nine trial work months, the SSA evaluates whether your earnings exceed SGA. If they do, you enter a Grace Period — three additional months of full benefits — before potential termination.

The TWP is particularly significant for Minnesota workers exploring return-to-work options, because it gives you a real opportunity to assess your functional capacity without the immediate risk of losing income support if the attempt does not succeed.

Extended Period of Eligibility and Expedited Reinstatement

After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this window, you receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall below SGA — even if your benefits were previously stopped due to high earnings. No new application is required; your entitlement continues automatically.

If your benefits end because your earnings exceed SGA, and you later become unable to work again due to the same disabling condition, you may request Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) within five years. EXR allows the SSA to provisionally restore your benefits for up to six months while it reviews your claim, preventing a lengthy gap in income.

These provisions create an important safety net for Minnesota SSDI recipients who want to attempt part-time or full-time work. The fear of permanently losing benefits should not be the reason you avoid working if your condition allows it.

Reporting Work Activity and Avoiding Overpayments

One of the most serious pitfalls for working SSDI recipients is failing to report earnings promptly. The SSA requires you to report:

• Any new job or self-employment activity
• Changes in pay rate or hours worked
• Stopping or starting work
• Any special work conditions or accommodations your employer provides

Failure to report can result in an overpayment — money the SSA paid you that it believes you were not entitled to receive. Overpayments must be repaid and can sometimes amount to thousands of dollars. The SSA may recover them by withholding future benefit payments, which can be financially devastating.

Minnesota residents can report work activity by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security field office, or using the SSA's online portal. Keeping documentation of every report — including dates, names of representatives spoken to, and confirmation numbers — is critical if a dispute arises later.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Special Rules

The SSA allows you to deduct Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) from your gross earnings when calculating whether you have exceeded SGA. IRWEs include costs that are directly related to your disability and necessary for you to work, such as:

• Prescription medications specific to your condition
• Medical equipment or prosthetic devices
• Transportation to and from work if your disability requires specialized transit
• Personal attendant care services used during work hours
• Modifications to your vehicle or workplace

For example, if you earn $1,700 per month but spend $300 on IRWEs, your countable earnings drop to $1,400 — below the SGA threshold. Minnesota SSDI recipients with significant disability-related work costs should ensure these deductions are properly documented and submitted to the SSA.

Additionally, if you are legally blind, the SGA threshold is higher — $2,590 per month in 2024 — giving you more flexibility to work part time without triggering benefit termination.

Practical Steps Before Taking a Part-Time Job

Before accepting any employment, Minnesota SSDI recipients should take several proactive steps to protect their benefits:

• Contact your local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. Minnesota has certified WIPA counselors who provide free benefits counseling to SSDI recipients exploring work.
• Obtain a Benefits Summary and Analysis (BSA) from a WIPA counselor, which documents your current benefits and projects how specific work scenarios will affect them.
• Notify the SSA in writing before or immediately upon starting work, and keep copies of all correspondence.
• Track your earnings and hours every month using a log or spreadsheet, and retain all pay stubs.
• Consult a disability attorney if you have questions about how a specific job offer will interact with your benefits, especially if your condition is complex or your work history is unusual.

The SSA's rules on working while receiving SSDI are detailed and can be difficult to navigate without guidance. Mistakes — even unintentional ones — can result in overpayments, audits, or benefit termination. The system does provide meaningful pathways to return to work, but those pathways require careful planning and consistent reporting.

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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