You can work while your SSDI process is being reviewed, but what you earn may affect your case

Social Security does not stop you from working while you wait for a decision on your SSDI process. You can have a job, earn money, and continue the process process at the same time. However, the amount you earn matters — it can change how Social Security views your case and may delay a decision.

The key issue is something called substantial gainful activity, or SGA. This is Social Security's way of measuring whether you are working enough to support yourself. If you earn above the SGA limit, Social Security may conclude you are not disabled, even if you have a serious medical condition. The SGA limit changes each year — in 2024 it is $1,550 per month for most people, and $2,590 for people who are blind.

Working below the SGA limit does not hurt your process. In fact, it can help by showing you are trying to work despite your condition. But if you cross the limit, you need to understand what happens next.

Key Takeaways

  • You can work while your SSDI process is pending without automatically losing your case, as long as you report your earnings to Social Security.
  • Earning above the SGA limit (currently $1,550 per month in 2024) may lead Social Security to deny your process or delay the decision.
  • Part-time work, self-employment, and volunteer work all count toward the SGA limit in different ways.
  • You must report any work and earnings to Social Security — they will find out through tax records and other sources if you do not tell them.
  • If you are approved for SSDI, you can continue working under specific rules that allow you to test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready.

How Social Security measures work while you explore

Social Security looks at your average monthly earnings over the time you have been explore. If you work part-time at $400 a week, that is roughly $1,600 a month — above the SGA limit. If you work part-time at $300 a week, that is roughly $1,200 a month — below the limit.

The calculation is not always straightforward. If you started working partway through your process, Social Security averages only the months you actually worked. If you worked for three months at $2,000 a month and then stopped, your average is $2,000, which is above SGA. If you worked for six months at $1,200 a month, your average is $1,200, which is below SGA.

Self-employment counts too. If you run a small business or do freelance work, Social Security counts your net profit — what you earn after business expenses — toward the SGA limit. This is often lower than your gross income, which can work in your favor.

What happens if you earn above the SGA limit

If your earnings go above SGA, Social Security does not automatically deny your process. Instead, they may ask for more information about your work and your medical condition. They want to understand whether you are truly unable to work or whether your earnings show you can work.

You may receive a letter asking you to explain your work — what you do, how many hours you work, whether your condition limits what you can do, and whether you expect to keep working. This is your chance to explain that you are working despite significant limitations, or that the work is temporary, or that you are testing whether you can work before your process is decided.

If Social Security concludes that your earnings prove you can work, they will deny your process. You can appeal this decision and present more evidence about your medical condition and work limitations. Many people are approved on appeal even after earning above SGA during the process process.

Reporting your work and earnings to Social Security

You must report any work to Social Security. Do not wait for them to ask. Contact your local Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213, or go to ssa.gov and log into your account to report your work.

When you report, tell them:

  • The name and address of your employer or business
  • When you started working
  • How many hours per week you work
  • Your monthly or weekly pay
  • Whether the work is temporary or ongoing

Social Security will verify your earnings through tax records, W-2 forms, and other sources. If you do not report your work and they discover it later, it can hurt your credibility and may lead to a denial or delay. Reporting it yourself shows honesty and gives you a chance to explain your situation.

Part-time work, temporary work, and trial work periods

Part-time work below the SGA limit is generally the safest option while you explore. If you work 15 to 20 hours a week at $15 an hour, you are earning roughly $1,200 to $1,300 a month — below the SGA limit — and showing that you are trying to work.

Temporary work can also help your case. If you work for a few weeks or months and then stop, Social Security sees this as testing your ability to work rather than proof that you can work full-time. Make sure to report when the work ends so Social Security understands it was temporary.

If you are approved for SSDI, you will have access to a trial work period. This is a nine-month window during which you can work and earn any amount without losing your SSDI benefits. After the trial work period ends, your benefits continue as long as your earnings stay below SGA. This is designed to let you test whether you can work before your benefits stop permanently.

Self-employment and side work while explore

If you are self-employed or do freelance work, the rules are similar but the calculation is different. Social Security counts your net profit — your income minus business expenses — toward the SGA limit.

For example, if you earn $2,500 from freelance work but have $1,200 in business expenses (equipment, software, supplies), your net profit is $1,300 — below the SGA limit. Keep careful records of all expenses because Social Security will ask for documentation.

Self-employment can actually be easier to explain to Social Security than a traditional job. You can describe the work as flexible, something you do on your own schedule, and something you may not be able to sustain. This can support your claim that you are disabled even though you are trying to work.

How working affects your medical evidence

Working while you explore does not automatically hurt your medical case, but it can raise questions. If you have a back injury and you are working full-time in construction, Social Security will wonder whether the injury is truly disabling. If you have the same back injury and you are working part-time from home doing data entry, Social Security is more likely to believe the injury limits your ability to work.

The type of work matters. Work that is flexible, low-stress, or done on your own schedule is easier to explain alongside a disability claim than work that is physically demanding or requires long hours. If you are working but your work is limited by your condition — you can only work a few hours a week, you need frequent breaks, you cannot lift heavy objects — make sure to tell Social Security this.

Your medical records should support your claim. If you are explore for SSDI because of depression and anxiety, but you are working 40 hours a week with no treatment or medication, Social Security will be skeptical. If you are in therapy, taking medication, and working 15 hours a week, the picture is more consistent with a disability claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Social Security deny my process if I work while explore?

Not automatically. Working below the SGA limit ($1,550 per month in 2024) does not disqualify you. Working above the limit may lead to a denial, but you can appeal and many people are approved on appeal. The key is reporting your work and explaining how your condition limits what you can do.

Do I have to stop working to explore for SSDI?

No. You can work and explore at the same time. Many people do. The process process takes months or years, and you may need the income. Just report your work to Social Security and keep your earnings documented.

What if I work for a family member or do unpaid work?

Work for a family member counts toward the SGA limit if you are paid. Unpaid volunteer work does not count toward SGA, but Social Security may still ask about it to understand your abilities. Be honest about what you do.

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

Yes. Many people are approved for SSDI while working part-time below the SGA limit. Social Security understands that people try to work despite disabilities. Part-time work can actually strengthen your case by showing you are motivated and trying to support yourself.

What happens to my job if I am approved for SSDI?

Your job is not affected by SSDI approval. You can keep working if you want. You will have a nine-month trial work period where you can earn any amount without losing benefits, then your benefits continue as long as your earnings stay below SGA each month.