Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part-Time?

“Will I lose my disability if I work part-time?” It’s a common question among Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients. If this is your case, we have both a short and a long answer for you.

Short answer: not necessarily. Long answer: there are some rules and guidelines for people who want to go back to work while they receive SSDI benefits. For a set period of time, you're allowed to test your ability to work and earn an income without immediately losing your benefits.  After this trial period, the rules change, and you do risk losing your benefits if your earnings exceed a specific amount per month. But here's the thing—it doesn't necessarily make a difference if you work part-time or full-time.

We consulted the attorney Jonathan Feniak, General Counsel at LLC Attorney, who explained the rules for working while on SSDI—including how many hours you're allowed to work and how much you can earn. Here's everything you need to know: 

Will I lose my disability if I work part-time? 2024 rules

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers three work incentive programs for Social Security Disability recipients. These initiatives allow you to work for a certain period without immediately losing your benefits. Each one has its own specific eligibility rules, and they’re not always tied to the number of hours you work.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

The SSDI Trial Work Period lets you test your ability to earn an income for nine months while also collecting your benefits. Feniak explains that the SSA will monitor your earnings during this test period. 

So, let's say you find a part-time job as a cashier at a retail store for $10.25 per hour. As soon as you start working, the TWP begins, and you have nine months to see if you can handle the job without immediately losing your benefits.

“You have no income limits during that 9-month period,” Feniak says. “And if you can’t consistently earn an income, your trial period simply ends and you continue receiving your regular benefits.”

The SSA evaluates your earnings based on a substantial gainful activity (SGA) standpoint. According to the SSA, your work is considered “substantial” if it involves physical or mental activities, or both, and “gainful” if it's performed for payment or profit. 

“In 2024, you can earn up to $1,550 before it’s considered a month of services,” Feniak says. “If you earn that minimum at least nine months of a rolling 60-month period, you’ll be reassessed and may lose your benefits.”

The SGA limit is different for blind individuals versus those with other disabilities. For 2024, the limit for blind recipients is $2,590 per month, while for non-blind SSDI recipients it’s $1,550 per month. These limits may change in the upcoming years.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

The extended period of eligibility starts when the nine-month trial work period ends. It gives you an additional 36 months to continue working while still receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

During the EPE, your earnings must stay below the SGA limit for your disability. If they exceed the limit, your benefits will be suspended. For instance, if you go from making $10,25 per hour to $15,50 per hour, working 25 days a month, you'll exceed the SGA limit. But if you lose your job or your earnings drop below the limit, your benefits can be reinstated.

The only exception to this rule are individuals with work expenses incurred due to their disability—like adapted work equipment and transportation, for example. These expenses are deductible from your earnings, so you can keep receiving disability benefits even if your income exceeds the SGA limit. 

It's important to note that you must report your earnings during both the TWP and the EPE. This avoids overpayment of benefits if your earnings increase, or underpayment if they decrease. 

Ticket to Work Program

The ticket to work program is a SSA initiative designed to connect individuals who receive SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits with free employment services. These services include career counseling and job placement assistance. Your enrollment in this program is optional. If you need help finding employment that is suitable for you , this initiative can lead you in the right direction. 

How many hours can you work if you are on disability?

According to Feniak, “there are no hours limitations, only income limitations.” This means you can work part-time or a set number of weekly hours that are more suitable for you without losing your disability benefits, as long as your earnings don't exceed the SGA limit. 

The SSA typically monitors your activities to check if you're still eligible for benefits. Working 40 hours in a single week might not cause any problem, but consistently working 40 hours per week over a month could signal to them that you may no longer qualify. 

Since rules can change periodically, it's advisable to always contact your local Social Security office for more information regarding your specific situation.

Can you go to jail for working while on disability?

You won't go to jail for working while on disability because SSDI recipients are allowed to test their ability to work and earn an income. But once you start working, you must report your earnings to the SSA to properly maintain your benefits. In case of fraud, legal trouble can occur.

What happens if I lose my job after losing my benefits?

If you lose your job during the TWP, you'll keep receiving your benefits as usual. However, if you lose your benefits because your earnings exceed the SGA limit during the EPE, you must contact the SSA so you can have them reinstated.

Work part-time while on disability: Key takeaways

Here's a summary of the Social Security Administration rules and guidelines for SSDI recipients who decide to go back to the workforce:

• The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to work part-time up to nine months without losing your disability benefits.

• The Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) allows you to work and keep your benefits as long as your earnings don't exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit.

• The SGA limit in 2024 is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals.

• You must report your earnings to the SSA to avoid overpayment or underpayment of your benefits.

Guidelines for receiving disability benefits in the U.S.

If you are not yet receiving disability and are considering applying, there are several criteria you must fit in to be considered eligible. These are currently the general guidelines, according to Feniak:

• Must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security

• Cannot work for a year or more because of disability

• Must have worked enough and earned enough income credits to qualify

• Must have 40 credits (for SSDI) and 20 should be earned within the last 10 years

“You can earn up to four credits annually if you earn at least $6,920 in that calendar year,” Feniak says. “Sometimes, they’ll make exceptions for younger workers who haven’t had enough time to earn those credits.” 

If you are approved, it can take up to five months before you receive your first disability benefits. However, “the program may pay out benefits retroactively for up to 12 months before you apply, if you had a disability during that time,” he says.