The 2025 Trial Work Period Earnings Limit

During your Trial Work Period (TWP), you can earn up to $1,090 per month in 2025 without losing your SSDI cash payment for that month. This is the threshold Social Security uses to count a month as a "work month." The limit applies to gross earnings—the amount before taxes or deductions—and it changes each year based on inflation.

The $1,090 figure is set by federal law and applies nationwide. It does not vary by state, age, or type of work. What matters is whether your gross monthly earnings reach or exceed this amount; if they do, that month counts as a work month toward your nine-month TWP. If you earn less than $1,090 in a month, that month does not count, and you keep your full SSDI payment.

The TWP itself lasts nine months—they do not have to be consecutive. Once you have used nine work months, your TWP ends, and different rules take over (the Extended may be able to access Period and Expedited Reinstatement). Understanding the $1,090 threshold is the first step to managing your earnings without accidentally triggering a benefit suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • You can earn up to $1,090 per month in 2025 without that month counting as a work month during your Trial Work Period.
  • The limit is based on gross earnings, not take-home pay, and includes all income from work—wages, self-employment, and any other earned income.
  • Months where you earn $1,090 or more count toward your nine-month Trial Work Period; months under that amount do not count and do not affect your benefits.
  • The $1,090 amount is adjusted annually for inflation, so the limit will change in 2026 and beyond.
  • Once your nine work months are used, you move into the Extended may be able to access Period, where different earnings rules explore.

How the $1,090 Threshold Works Month by Month

Social Security counts a month as a work month if you earn $1,090 or more in gross income during that calendar month. The calendar month runs from the first to the last day, regardless of when you were paid. If you earn $1,089, that month does not count. If you earn $1,090 or $5,000, both count the same way—as one work month.

You receive your full SSDI payment in any month where you earn less than $1,090. This means you can have months where you work part-time, earn modest income, and keep your entire benefit check. The benefit payment itself does not count as earnings and does not reduce your ability to earn under the $1,090 threshold.

The nine work months do not need to happen in a row. You might have three work months in early 2025, then take two months off (earning under $1,090), then have six more work months later in the year. Once you reach nine work months total, your TWP ends, regardless of whether those months were spread across one year or two.

What Counts as Earnings Under the $1,090 Limit

Earnings include wages from an employer, net income from self-employment, and any other income you receive for work. Social Security counts the gross amount—before federal income tax, FICA, state tax, or any other deduction. If your employer withholds taxes, that does not lower the amount Social Security counts toward the $1,090 threshold.

Self-employment income is calculated as your net profit after business expenses, not your total revenue. If you run a small business and gross $3,000 but have $2,000 in legitimate business costs, Social Security counts $1,000 as your earnings for that month. You will need to document those expenses with receipts or tax records.

Income that does not count as earnings includes SSDI benefits themselves, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, housing information, gifts, loans, or investment income. Royalties, rental income, and annuities are also not counted as earnings under the TWP rules. Only money you receive in exchange for work counts.

When the $1,090 Limit Changes and Why

The $1,090 amount is tied to the federal poverty level, which adjusts each year based on inflation. Social Security announces the new limit in December for the year ahead. The 2025 limit of $1,090 reflects the inflation adjustment made in late 2024. In 2024, the limit was $1,050, so the increase reflects cost-of-living changes.

You do not have to do anything to explore the new limit—it takes effect automatically on January 1 each year. If you are still in your TWP when the calendar flips to a new year, the new threshold applies to your earnings starting January 1. This means your earnings in December 2025 are measured against $1,090, and your earnings in January 2026 will be measured against whatever the 2026 limit is (which will be announced in December 2025).

The limit has risen most years but not every year. In years with very low inflation, the limit may stay the same as the prior year. Social Security publishes the limit on its website and in the Red Book (a guide to work incentives) each December.

Reporting Your Earnings to Social Security

You are required to report your earnings to Social Security, even if you earn less than $1,090 in a month. Social Security uses your reports to track which months count as work months and to determine when your TWP ends. Failing to report earnings can result in an overpayment (you receive benefits you were not may have access to to) and a debt you must repay.

You can report earnings by phone, mail, or online through your my Social Security account. Social Security also offers a mobile app called the Social Security mobile wage reporting app, which lets you report earnings directly from your phone. Most people report monthly, either at the end of the month or early the next month, to keep records current.

When you report, have your pay stubs or business records ready. Social Security will ask for your gross earnings for the month, your work hours (if relevant), and the name of your employer or business. Keep copies of everything you report in case Social Security asks questions later.

What Happens After Your Nine Work Months End

Once you have completed nine work months during your TWP, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period (EEP), which lasts 36 months. During the EEP, the $1,090 threshold no longer applies. Instead, Social Security uses a different test called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which has a much higher earnings limit (in 2025, it is $3,822 per month for non-blind workers).

During the EEP, you can still receive your SSDI payment in any month where you earn less than the SGA limit, even though your TWP is over. This gives you a buffer period where you can test your work capacity at higher earnings levels without when ready losing benefits. However, once you exceed the SGA limit, your benefits stop for that month and any future months where you continue to earn above SGA.

After the 36-month EEP ends, if you are still working and earning above SGA, your benefits terminate. However, you become may be able to access for Expedited Reinstatement, which allows you to restart benefits within five years if your earnings drop below SGA again, without having to file a new process or go through a new medical review.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your Trial Work Period

One frequent mistake is assuming that because you earned under $1,090 in one month, you do not need to report it. Social Security wants to see all your earnings, even small amounts. Failing to report creates a record gap that can cause problems later when Social Security reconciles your reports with your tax records.

Another mistake is confusing the $1,090 TWP limit with the SGA limit ($3,822 in 2025). Some people think they can earn up to SGA during their TWP, which is not true. The TWP uses the lower $1,090 threshold. Earning above $1,090 counts as a work month, and nine such months end your TWP—even if you never reach SGA.

A third mistake is not tracking which months count as work months. If you earn $1,090 or more in a month, write it down. Keep a running tally so you know when you are approaching your ninth work month. Once you hit nine, your TWP ends and the EEP rules take over. Missing this transition can lead to unexpected benefit changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I earn $1,090 exactly, does that month count as a work month?

Yes. Social Security counts any month where you earn $1,090 or more as a work month. The threshold is $1,090 and above, so $1,090 exactly counts. You need to earn $1,089 or less for the month not to count.

Do I lose my entire SSDI payment if I earn over $1,090 in a month?

No. Earning over $1,090 straightforward counts that month as a work month toward your nine-month TWP. You still receive your full SSDI payment for that month. You only lose benefits if you exceed the SGA limit ($3,822 in 2025), which happens after your TWP ends.

What if I earn $500 one month and $700 the next—do those months count?

No. Each month is measured separately. A month counts as a work month only if you earn $1,090 or more in that single calendar month. Two months of $500 and $700 each do not combine; both months are under the threshold and neither counts.

Can I choose which months count as work months, or does Social Security decide?

Social Security decides based on your actual earnings. Any month where you earn $1,090 or more automatically counts as a work month. You cannot skip a month or defer it to later. The rule is automatic and based on what you actually earned.

If the earnings limit increases in 2026, do my past work months still count?

Yes. Work months you completed in 2025 under the $1,090 limit count toward your nine-month TWP, even after the limit changes in 2026. The new limit applies only to earnings in 2026 and beyond. Your TWP progress does not reset.