Working Part Time While on SSDI in Pennsylvania

Many Pennsylvania residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits wonder whether they can earn additional income through part-time work without losing their benefits. The answer is nuanced, and understanding the rules before you start working can protect the benefits you depend on. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific guidelines that govern how work activity affects SSDI eligibility, and Pennsylvania residents should understand these rules thoroughly before taking on any employment.

Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The foundation of the SSA's work rules is a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you earn more than the SGA threshold in a given month, the SSA may determine you are no longer disabled and terminate your benefits. For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for those who are blind.

It is important to understand that the SSA looks at gross earnings, not take-home pay. Working part time in Pennsylvania can be done safely as long as your monthly earnings remain below the SGA threshold. However, earnings are not the only factor the SSA considers. The agency can also evaluate whether your work activity demonstrates an ability to perform substantial services, even if your pay falls below the limit.

The Trial Work Period: Your Safety Net

One of the most valuable protections available to SSDI recipients is the Trial Work Period (TWP). This provision allows you to test your ability to work for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month period without risking your benefits, regardless of how much you earn during those months.

A month counts as a trial work month in 2024 if you earn more than $1,110 from employment or self-employment. Once you have used all nine trial work months, the SSA evaluates whether your work constitutes SGA. If it does not exceed the SGA limit, your benefits continue. If it does, you enter a 36-month extended period of eligibility during which your benefits are suspended in any month you exceed SGA but can be reinstated without a new application if your earnings drop again.

• Track your trial work months carefully from the date benefits began
• Keep records of your monthly earnings, including pay stubs and employer statements
• Report all work activity to the SSA promptly to avoid overpayments
• Consult with a Pennsylvania disability attorney before starting any job to plan around your TWP strategically

Reporting Work Activity to the SSA

Pennsylvania SSDI recipients have a legal obligation to report any work activity to the SSA. Failure to report earnings is one of the most common reasons recipients face overpayment demands, which can result in the SSA withholding future benefits or demanding repayment of thousands of dollars.

You should report when you start or stop working, when your pay or hours change, and when you begin or end self-employment. Reports can be made by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Pennsylvania Social Security office, or using the SSA's online portal. Keep dated records of every communication you have with the SSA regarding your work activity.

Pennsylvania has Social Security offices in major cities including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Allentown, among others. If you are unsure how to report properly, a local office representative can assist you. However, consider having an attorney review any written communications before submitting them.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Special Rules

The SSA allows SSDI recipients to deduct Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) from their countable earnings when determining whether they have exceeded SGA. These are costs you pay out of pocket that are necessary for you to work because of your disability. Common examples include:

• Prescription medications required to manage your disabling condition
• Specialized transportation when you cannot use standard transit due to your disability
• Medical equipment or devices needed specifically to perform job tasks
• Attendant care services related to your impairment
• Physical therapy or occupational therapy costs that enable you to work

By properly documenting and deducting IRWEs, some Pennsylvania workers can earn more than the nominal SGA threshold while still keeping their monthly countable earnings within allowable limits. This is an area where precise documentation is essential, and mistakes can be costly.

Additionally, the SSA recognizes a concept called Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA), which applies when you stop working within six months due to your medical condition or because of special conditions your employer made for you. Earnings from a UWA are generally not counted against your SGA determination.

Protecting Your Medicare While Working

One major concern Pennsylvania workers on SSDI raise is whether part-time employment will affect their Medicare coverage. The good news is that Medicare Extended Period of Eligibility rules allow SSDI recipients to retain Medicare coverage for at least 93 months after the trial work period ends. This means that even if your SSDI cash benefits are suspended because your earnings exceed SGA, your Medicare can continue for years.

After that extended period, Pennsylvania residents who still have a disabling condition may be eligible to purchase Medicare coverage through the Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work program. Pennsylvania also administers the Medicare Savings Program, which helps low-income individuals pay Medicare premiums. Income thresholds for these programs are adjusted annually, so confirming current eligibility through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is advisable.

Working part time while on SSDI in Pennsylvania is absolutely possible if you plan carefully and follow reporting requirements. The rules can be complex, and even unintentional violations can lead to significant overpayments or benefit terminations. Before accepting any position, review your current benefit status, check where you are in any trial work period, calculate how the income will affect your SGA determination, and document all disability-related work expenses from day one.

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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