What the BRAVE Act Does to Your SSDI Work Rules

The BRAVE Act (Beneficiary Reporting and Verification Expansion Act) changes how much you can earn while receiving SSDI and removes some of the reporting requirements that used to trigger benefit reductions. The core change: it raises the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold—the income level at which Social Security assumes you are working and may reduce or stop your benefits. It also simplifies what you have to report to Social Security about your work and earnings.

This matters because under the old rules, earning above a certain monthly amount could cause your benefits to drop or end, even if you were still disabled. The BRAVE Act raises that threshold and gives you more room to work without losing benefits when ready. However, the rules are not yet fully in effect, and the timeline for implementation depends on Congressional action and Social Security rulemaking.

Key Takeaways

  • The BRAVE Act raises the SGA threshold—the income level that triggers benefit reductions—but the new amount has not yet been set and depends on when Congress and Social Security finalize the rules.
  • The Act removes the requirement to report monthly earnings to Social Security, replacing it with a simpler annual reporting system, though this change is not yet in effect.
  • Work incentives like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) still exist and may help you keep more of your earnings under the new rules.
  • Your current benefits will not change automatically when the BRAVE Act takes effect; Social Security will notify you of changes that affect your specific case.
  • The timeline for full implementation is uncertain and depends on federal rulemaking, so you should continue following current reporting rules until Social Security tells you otherwise.

How the SGA Threshold Works Under the BRAVE Act

The SGA threshold is the monthly income level Social Security uses to decide whether you are working at a substantial level. If you earn above it, Social Security may assume your disability has improved and may reduce or stop your benefits. Currently (2025), the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 for blind beneficiaries. The BRAVE Act requires this threshold to be raised, but the exact new amount has not been announced.

When the new threshold takes effect, you will have more room to earn before Social Security questions whether you can work. For example, if the threshold rises to $1,800 (this is an example, not a confirmed figure), you could earn up to that amount without triggering an automatic benefit review. Earnings above the threshold do not automatically end your benefits—they trigger a review of your medical condition—but the higher threshold gives you more time to work and earn without that review happening.

Social Security will announce the new SGA threshold through official notices and updates to its website. You should check your Social Security account or wait for a notice in the mail when the change takes effect. Until then, use the current threshold as your guide for reporting.

Changes to How You Report Your Earnings

Currently, SSDI beneficiaries must report their monthly earnings to Social Security, and the agency uses those reports to calculate whether benefits should be reduced under the Earnings Test. The BRAVE Act simplifies this by moving to an annual reporting system instead. This means you would report your total earnings once a year rather than every month.

Annual reporting reduces paperwork and gives you more flexibility to have months with higher or lower earnings without triggering when ready benefit adjustments. However, this change is not yet in effect. Social Security has not announced when the new reporting system will begin or what form it will take. Until you receive official notice from Social Security, you must continue reporting your monthly earnings using the current system.

If you work and receive SSDI, keep records of your gross monthly earnings (before taxes) and report them to Social Security by the 15th of the month following the month you earned them. You can report by phone, mail, or through your online Social Security account. Do not stop reporting until Social Security tells you the new system is in place.

Work Incentives That Still explore Under the BRAVE Act

The BRAVE Act does not eliminate work incentives—programs that let you keep more of your earnings while staying on SSDI. Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) still exist and may help you reduce your countable earnings under the new rules.

IRWE lets you deduct the cost of items or services you need because of your disability to work—for example, a personal assistant, special transportation, or medical equipment. These costs are subtracted from your gross earnings before Social Security calculates whether you have exceeded the SGA threshold. PASS is a written plan that lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal (like education or starting a business) without those amounts counting toward your benefits.

Both programs require paperwork and approval from Social Security, and both can reduce the amount of earnings that count against your benefits. If you are working or planning to work, ask your Social Security representative or a work incentives planning specialist whether IRWE or PASS could help you keep more of what you earn.

Timeline for BRAVE Act Implementation

The BRAVE Act was introduced in Congress but has not yet been signed into law as of early 2025. This means the changes described above are not yet in effect. Social Security cannot implement the new SGA threshold or the annual reporting system until Congress passes the law and the agency issues final rules explaining how the changes will work.

Once the law is signed, Social Security typically takes several months to write the detailed rules, update its systems, and notify beneficiaries of changes. The agency will announce the new SGA threshold through official notices, updates to its website, and letters to affected beneficiaries. You should expect to receive written notice before any change affects your benefits.

Until the BRAVE Act becomes law and Social Security implements the changes, continue following the current rules: report your monthly earnings, use the current SGA threshold ($1,550 for non-blind beneficiaries), and contact Social Security if you have questions about how your work affects your benefits.

What Happens to Your Benefits When the BRAVE Act Takes Effect

If you are currently receiving SSDI and earning above the current SGA threshold, your benefits may be affected when the BRAVE Act takes effect and the threshold is raised. Social Security will review your case and recalculate your benefits based on the new threshold. In many cases, this will mean your benefits increase or resume if they were reduced under the old rules.

Social Security will send you a notice explaining any changes to your benefits. You do not have to do anything—the agency will make the adjustment automatically once the new rules are in place. If you disagree with the change or have questions, you can contact Social Security to ask for an explanation.

If you are not yet working but are thinking about starting work, the higher SGA threshold under the BRAVE Act will give you more room to earn before your benefits are affected. However, do not make work decisions based on the BRAVE Act until it becomes law and Social Security announces the new threshold.

How to Stay Informed About BRAVE Act Changes

Because the BRAVE Act has not yet been signed into law, the best way to stay informed is to check official Social Security sources. Visit ssa.gov and look for updates in the "What's New" section or search for "BRAVE Act." You can also create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to view your current benefit amount and earnings record.

If you work with a benefits planning information (BPA) program or a work incentives planning and information (WIPA) project, these free services can help you understand how the BRAVE Act will affect your specific situation once it takes effect. To find a WIPA project in your state, visit vcu-ntdc.org or call 1-866-968-7842.

Do not rely on unofficial sources or third-party websites for information about the BRAVE Act. Social Security's official website and notices from the agency are the most accurate sources for when the law takes effect and how it will change your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the BRAVE Act automatically increase my SSDI benefits?

Not automatically, but it may affect your benefits if you are working. When the new SGA threshold takes effect, Social Security will review your case and recalculate your benefits based on the higher threshold. If you are earning above the current threshold but below the new one, your benefits may increase or resume. Social Security will send you a notice explaining any changes.

Can I stop reporting my monthly earnings once the BRAVE Act passes?

No. You must continue reporting your monthly earnings under the current system until Social Security officially tells you the new annual reporting system is in place. Stopping early could cause your benefits to be suspended or terminated. Wait for official notice from Social Security before changing how you report.

What if I am already working above the current SGA threshold?

Continue reporting your earnings to Social Security as you do now. When the BRAVE Act takes effect and the SGA threshold is raised, Social Security will review your case. Depending on the new threshold, your benefits may be restored or increased. You will receive a notice explaining any changes.

Does the BRAVE Act change the Trial Work Period or Extended may be able to access Period?

The BRAVE Act focuses on raising the SGA threshold and simplifying earnings reporting. It does not eliminate the Trial Work Period (nine months in which you can earn any amount without losing benefits) or the Extended may be able to access Period (36 months after the Trial Work Period ends during which benefits are reduced based on earnings). These programs still exist and work the same way.

Where can I get help understanding how the BRAVE Act affects my situation?

Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You can also work with a free WIPA project or benefits planning information program in your state. These services help SSDI beneficiaries understand work incentives and how changes in the law affect their benefits. Visit vcu-ntdc.org to find a program near you.