The Trial Work Period Lets You Test Work Without Losing Benefits

During your Trial Work Period, you can work as many jobs as you want without Social Security counting the earnings against your benefits. The limit is not on the number of jobs — it is on how many months you work and earn above a certain threshold. You get nine months to test whether you can work, and Social Security will not reduce your benefit check based on what you earn during those nine months.

The reason this matters is that many people worry they have to choose between one job or multiple jobs. You do not. You could work two part-time jobs, one full-time job, or shift between jobs entirely. What Social Security tracks is whether you are working in a month and earning enough to count as a "work month" — not how many employers you have.

Key Takeaways

  • You can hold multiple jobs at the same time during your Trial Work Period without affecting your SSDI check.
  • A "work month" counts toward your nine-month limit only if you earn more than a set amount (currently $1,050 per month, though this changes yearly) and work for pay.
  • The nine months do not have to be consecutive — you can use them spread across 60 calendar months, giving you years to test different work situations.
  • Once your nine work months are used, the Extended may be able to access Period begins, and earnings above a higher threshold will reduce your benefit.

What Counts as a Work Month During Trial Work

Social Security counts a month as a "work month" if you earn more than the monthly threshold and perform work for pay. The threshold amount changes each year — Social Security publishes it in January. You need to check the current year's amount on the Social Security website or ask your work incentives planner, because using an old number could change your planning.

The key point is that the number of jobs does not matter. If you earn $1,100 across three part-time jobs in one month, that is one work month. If you earn $1,100 at a single employer, that is also one work month. If you earn $500 at one job and $600 at another in the same month, that is still one work month because your total crossed the threshold.

Self-employment counts the same way. If you run a small business and earn above the threshold in a month, that month counts toward your nine, regardless of whether you also have a W-2 job.

How the Nine Months Spread Across Your 60-Month Window

You do not have to use your nine work months all at once. Social Security gives you a 60-month (five-year) window to use them. This means you could work for three months, stop for six months, work again for two months, take a break, and then work for four more months — as long as all nine work months fall within that 60-month period.

This flexibility is important because it lets you test different work situations without rushing. You might try a job for a few months, see if your condition allows it, step back if you need to, and try again later. Each time you earn above the threshold in a month, you use one of your nine months, but the clock does not run out just because you take a break.

Once you have used all nine work months, the Extended may be able to access Period begins. During Extended may be able to access, your benefits continue but will be reduced if your earnings exceed a higher threshold (called the Substantial Gainful Activity level). This is when the number of jobs might matter more, because your total earnings determine whether your check gets reduced.

Multiple Jobs and Your Monthly Earnings

If you are working multiple jobs, add up all your earnings for the month to see whether you crossed the work month threshold. Social Security does not care which job pushed you over — they look at your total income from all sources of work.

This can actually work in your favor. If one job does not pay enough to trigger a work month on its own, a second part-time job might push your total over the threshold. Conversely, if you are close to the threshold and worried about losing a work month, you could reduce hours at one job or the other to stay under it in a particular month.

Keep records of your earnings from each job. When you report to Social Security, you will need to show what you earned and when. Having pay stubs or a record from each employer makes the reporting process straightforward.

What Happens After Your Nine Work Months End

Once you have used all nine work months, you move into the Extended may be able to access Period. This period lasts 36 months (three years). During Extended may be able to access, your SSDI check continues, but Social Security will reduce it if your earnings exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level — a much higher threshold than the work month amount.

The SGA level also changes yearly and is different from the work month threshold. In 2024, the SGA level for non-blind individuals is $1,550 per month, but you should verify the current year's amount. If your earnings from all jobs combined exceed this amount, your benefit will be reduced by one dollar for every dollar you earn above it.

After Extended may be able to access ends, you enter the Expedited Reinstatement period. If you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA, you can have your benefits restarted without filing a new process — but only within a certain timeframe. Understanding these phases helps you plan whether to keep working, reduce hours, or adjust your job situation.

Reporting Multiple Jobs to Social Security

You are required to report your work and earnings to Social Security. If you have multiple jobs, report all of them. Social Security will ask for information about each employer, your job title, the hours you work, and how much you earn.

You can report online through your my Social Security account, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. When you report, have the following information ready for each job: the employer's name and address, your job title, the dates you started and stopped (if applicable), your hourly rate or salary, and the hours you typically work per week.

Reporting accurately and on time protects your benefits. If Social Security discovers unreported work later, it can result in overpayment notices and demands to repay benefits. Being upfront about all your jobs, even if you have several, is always the safer approach.

Work Incentives Planners Can Help You Strategize

If you are juggling multiple jobs or trying to decide whether to take on additional work, a Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) project can help you understand how different job combinations will affect your benefits. These are free services funded by Social Security, and the planners specialize in helping people on SSDI figure out their work options.

A WIPA planner can show you exactly how many work months you have left, what your earnings threshold is for the current year, and what will happen to your benefits under different work scenarios. They can also help you understand the difference between the Trial Work Period, Extended may be able to access, and Expedited Reinstatement — and help you plan which months to work and which to hold back if you want to stretch your nine months across a longer period.

You can find a WIPA project near you through the Social Security website or by calling 1-866-968-7842. The service is free and confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work two jobs at the same time during my Trial Work Period?

Yes. You can work as many jobs as you want during your Trial Work Period. What matters is whether your combined earnings from all jobs exceed the monthly threshold in a given month. If they do, that counts as one work month toward your nine.

If I quit one job and start another, does that use up a work month?

Only if you earn above the threshold in the month you start the new job. Quitting a job itself does not use a work month. If you quit in March and start a new job in April, and you earn above the threshold in April, then April is a work month. March is not, unless you earned above the threshold there too.

What if I earn just under the threshold one month — does that month not count?

Correct. If you earn $1,000 and the threshold is $1,050, that month does not count as a work month. You can work and earn money without using up your nine months, as long as you stay under the threshold. This is why some people strategically keep earnings just below the limit in certain months.

Do I have to tell Social Security about every job I have?

Yes. You must report all work and earnings, including every job you hold. Failing to report a job can result in overpayment and a demand to repay benefits, even if the unreported job did not push you over the earnings threshold.

What if I work three months, then take six months off — do I lose my remaining work months?

No. Your nine work months are spread across a 60-month window. You can take breaks between jobs without losing the months you have not used yet. As long as you use all nine months within that five-year period, you keep the full benefit of the Trial Work Period.