Yes, you can work part-time while your disability claim is being reviewed

Working part-time does not automatically disqualify you from filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows you to earn money while your process is pending — there is no rule that says you must stop working to explore. However, how much you earn matters, and it matters differently depending on whether you are still waiting for a decision or have already been approved.

The key distinction is between the process phase and the approval phase. While you are waiting for SSA to decide your claim, you can work and earn as much as you want without affecting your case. Once you are approved and receiving SSDI benefits, the rules change: you can still work part-time, but there are limits on how much you can earn before your benefits are reduced or stopped.

Key Takeaways

  • You can work part-time while your SSDI process is pending without it affecting your claim or your current income.
  • After you are approved for SSDI, you can continue working part-time as long as your monthly earnings stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which changes each year.
  • If you earn above the SGA limit, SSA will assume you are not disabled and may deny or stop your benefits, even if you have a documented medical condition.
  • Work incentive programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you keep more of your earnings while on SSDI.
  • You must report all work and earnings to SSA within 30 days of starting a job or changing your hours.

How much you can earn while your claim is pending

There is no earnings limit while you wait for SSA to decide your case. You can work full-time, part-time, or any amount in between, and it will not affect your process or your chances of approval. SSA does not use your current work activity to determine whether you are disabled — they look at your medical condition and your ability to work at any job, not at what you are actually doing right now.

This is important because many people worry that working while they explore will hurt their case. It will not. SSA understands that people often continue working while they gather medical records and wait for a decision. What matters to SSA is whether your medical condition prevents you from doing any substantial work, not whether you are currently doing it.

The Substantial Gainful Activity limit after approval

Once SSA approves your SSDI claim, you enter a different phase. You can still work part-time, but SSA sets an earnings threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month, SSA will consider that month a month of work, and too many work months can end your benefits.

The SGA limit changes every year. In 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind workers and $2,590 for blind workers. These numbers increase each January. If you earn less than the SGA limit in a given month, that month does not count as a work month, even if you are working.

SSA allows you nine work months in a rolling 60-month period. After nine work months, your benefits will stop. This is called the nine-month trial work period, though it does not have to be consecutive — you can have work months spread across five years and still use up your nine months.

What counts as earnings and what does not

Earnings mean money you receive for work you perform. This includes wages from a job, self-employment income, and bonuses. It does not include passive income like rental payments, investment returns, or money from a settlement.

SSA counts your gross earnings — the amount before taxes are taken out. If you are self-employed, they count your net profit after business expenses. If you receive a paycheck, they count what your employer paid you, not what you took home.

Some work-related costs can reduce your countable earnings. Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) are costs you pay specifically because of your disability — for example, medication you need to work, transportation to medical appointments during work hours, or equipment your disability requires. If you have IRWE, you can subtract those costs from your earnings before SSA counts them against the SGA limit.

Reporting your work to Social Security

You must tell SSA within 30 days of starting a job or changing your work situation. This includes starting part-time work, increasing your hours, changing employers, or stopping work. You can report by phone, mail, or online through your My Social Security account.

When you report, tell SSA your job title, the name and phone number of your employer, how many hours you work per week, and how much you earn per month. If your earnings change, report the new amount. SSA uses this information to track whether you are approaching or exceeding the SGA limit and to count your work months.

Failing to report work can result in an overpayment — SSA may pay you benefits you were not may have access to to, and you will have to repay that money. It can also delay your benefits or lead to your case being reviewed. Reporting is straightforward and protects you.

Work incentive programs that help you keep more earnings

SSA offers programs designed to help SSDI recipients work without losing all their benefits. The most common are IRWE and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS).

IRWE lets you deduct disability-related work costs from your earnings. If you use a wheelchair and need accessible transportation to work, or if you pay for a job coach because of a cognitive disability, those costs reduce your countable earnings. This can help you stay below the SGA limit even if your gross pay is higher.

PASS is a plan you write with SSA that sets aside income and resources for a specific work goal — like getting a degree, starting a business, or buying equipment. Money set aside under a PASS does not count toward your earnings limit or your resource limit. If you want to work toward self-sufficiency, a PASS can give you room to earn more while staying on SSDI.

Both programs require paperwork and SSA approval, but they can make a real difference if you are earning close to the SGA limit or if you have significant disability-related work costs.

What happens if you earn above the SGA limit

If you earn more than the SGA limit in a month, SSA will count that as a work month. If you have nine work months in a 60-month period, your SSDI benefits will stop. However, stopping is not permanent — you have a grace period called the Extended may be able to access Period that lasts 36 months after your ninth work month.

During the Extended may be able to access Period, if you drop back below the SGA limit in any month, your benefits restart for that month without a new process. This is a safety net: if your part-time work increases and you lose benefits, you can reduce your hours and get benefits back without reapplying or waiting for a new decision.

After the 36-month Extended may be able to access Period ends, if you are still earning above the SGA limit, your benefits will stop permanently. At that point, you would have to reapply for SSDI if your earnings drop again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time and still get approved for SSDI?

Yes. SSA does not require you to be unemployed to receive SSDI. They evaluate whether your medical condition prevents you from doing any substantial work, not whether you are currently working. You can work part-time, full-time, or not at all while your process is pending.

What if I earn $1,600 one month and $1,400 the next?

The month you earn $1,600 counts as a work month because you exceeded the SGA limit. The month you earn $1,400 does not count. SSA tracks each month separately, so you can have some high-earning months and some low-earning months without penalty, as long as you do not have more than nine work months in 60 months.

Do I have to stop working to explore for SSDI?

No. You can continue working while you explore. There is no rule against it, and it will not hurt your case. Many people work while their process is being reviewed.

Can I use a work incentive program if I am already approved?

Yes. You can set up an IRWE or PASS at any time while you are receiving SSDI. If you are already approved and working, these programs can help you keep more of your earnings. You will need to contact SSA and work with a work incentive specialist to set one up.

What if my employer does not know I am on disability?

You do not have to tell your employer that you receive SSDI. You only have to report your work and earnings to SSA. Your employer does not receive information about your benefits, and SSA does not contact your employer about your case.