You can work and keep your SSDI benefits without triggering a Trial Work Period if you stay under the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold and report your earnings correctly

A Trial Work Period (TWP) begins automatically the moment Social Security records that you earned over the SGA limit in a month. You cannot opt out of it, and you cannot delay it. But you can prevent it from starting by keeping your monthly earnings below the SGA threshold and by understanding which types of work and income do not count toward that threshold at all.

The SGA threshold changes each year. For 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month for people who are not blind, and $2,590 per month for people who are blind. These amounts explore to your countable earnings only — not all income counts. If you stay below these numbers in a calendar month, that month does not count as a Trial Work Period month, and you keep full SSDI benefits with no reduction.

The key is knowing what counts, what does not, and how to report it so Social Security sees the correct number.

Key Takeaways

  • Earnings under the SGA threshold ($1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries in 2024) do not trigger a Trial Work Period, and Social Security pays your full benefit.
  • Self-employment income, impairment-related work expenses, and certain subsidies do not count toward the SGA threshold, even if you earn them in a month you work.
  • You must report all work and earnings to Social Security within 10 days of the month in which you earn them, or Social Security will count the full amount and may start your Trial Work Period incorrectly.
  • A single month over the SGA threshold starts your Trial Work Period; you cannot prevent it retroactively, but you can stop it from continuing by staying under the threshold in future months.
  • Work incentives like Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can reduce your countable earnings and keep you below the SGA threshold.

What Income Does Not Count Toward the SGA Threshold

Social Security does not count all money you earn. Understanding what is excluded can mean the difference between staying under the SGA threshold and accidentally triggering a Trial Work Period.

Self-employment income is evaluated differently than wages. If you are self-employed, Social Security looks at your net profit (income minus business expenses) and divides it by the number of hours you worked. If the result is below the SGA threshold, you do not trigger a Trial Work Period, even if your gross income is high. This is called the "income test" for self-employment.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) are costs you pay to work because of your disability. These include attendant care, medical devices, medications, transportation to work, prosthetics, and specialized equipment. You subtract IRWE from your gross earnings before Social Security counts them toward SGA. For example, if you earn $1,800 per month but pay $400 per month for a personal care attendant, your countable earnings are $1,400 — below the SGA threshold.

Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) let you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal without it counting toward SGA. If you have a PASS in place, the money you set aside does not count as earnings, and you can stay below the SGA threshold even if your gross income is higher.

Subsidies and special conditions do not count. If your employer pays part of your wage because of your disability, or if you receive on-the-job support, that subsidized portion does not count toward SGA.

How To Report Your Work and Earnings Correctly

Incorrect reporting is one of the most common reasons people accidentally trigger a Trial Work Period. Social Security relies on you to tell them about your work within a specific timeframe.

You must report all work and earnings to Social Security within 10 days of the end of the month in which you earned them. You can report by phone, online through your my Social Security account, or in person at your local Social Security office. When you report, tell them the month you worked, the amount you earned, and the name and address of your employer.

If you do not report, Social Security will eventually learn about your work through tax records or other sources. When they do, they will count the full amount you earned, without any deductions for IRWE or other exclusions you might have claimed. This can push you over the SGA threshold retroactively and start your Trial Work Period in a month you thought was safe.

Keep records of your pay stubs, invoices (if self-employed), and receipts for any work-related expenses. If Social Security questions your earnings or your IRWE deductions, you will need to show proof.

Using Work Incentives To Stay Below the SGA Threshold

If your job pays more than the SGA threshold, you can use work incentives to reduce your countable earnings and avoid triggering a Trial Work Period.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) are the most straightforward. Document every cost related to your disability that allows you to work: transportation, medication, medical equipment, attendant care, job coaching, or specialized clothing. Add these up each month and subtract them from your gross earnings before reporting to Social Security. You must have receipts or invoices to prove these expenses.

Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) work best if you have a long-term goal — starting a business, getting a degree, or building toward full-time work. You write a plan with Social Security that says how much money you will set aside each month and what you will use it for. Once the plan is approved, that money does not count as earnings. PASS plans take time to set up (usually 30 to 60 days for approval), so start early if you know you will be earning over the SGA threshold.

Unincorporated self-employment can also help. If you are self-employed rather than an employee, Social Security uses the income test instead of the SGA threshold. You divide your net profit by the hours you worked. If the result is below SGA, you do not trigger a Trial Work Period, even if your total income is high.

Talk to a Social Security work incentives planner before you start working. These planners are free and can help you set up IRWE or PASS before you earn over the threshold. You can find one through your state vocational rehabilitation agency or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

What Happens If You Accidentally Earn Over the SGA Threshold

If you earn over the SGA threshold in a single month, that month counts as the first month of your Trial Work Period. You cannot undo it, but you can stop the Trial Work Period from continuing.

Once your Trial Work Period starts, you have nine more months (in a rolling 60-month window) in which you can earn over the SGA threshold without losing your benefits. After you use all nine months, Social Security will begin reducing or stopping your benefits based on your earnings.

The best response is to get back under the SGA threshold as soon as possible. If you can stay under the threshold for the remaining months of your Trial Work Period, you will preserve your benefits and your Medicare coverage. If you cannot, talk to Social Security about your options — you may be able to use a work incentive retroactively if you have may have access to expenses.

The Difference Between Reporting and Triggering

Reporting your work does not automatically trigger a Trial Work Period. Earning over the SGA threshold does. These are two separate things, and the confusion between them causes many people to avoid reporting out of fear.

If you report that you earned $1,400 in a month, and the SGA threshold is $1,550, Social Security records the month but does not start your Trial Work Period. Your benefit is paid in full. If you report that you earned $1,600, Social Security records that month as the first month of your Trial Work Period, but you still receive your full benefit that month — the reduction or suspension comes later, after you have used your nine Trial Work Period months.

Not reporting is worse than reporting. If you do not report and Social Security finds out later, they may count the earnings without any deductions, start your Trial Work Period retroactively, and ask you to repay benefits you received in months you should have reported.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time without triggering a Trial Work Period?

Yes, if your monthly earnings stay below the SGA threshold. Part-time work that pays $1,549 or less per month (for non-blind beneficiaries in 2024) does not trigger a Trial Work Period. If you work part-time but earn over the threshold in a particular month, that month counts as your first Trial Work Period month.

Does my spouse's income count toward my SGA threshold?

No. Social Security only counts your own earnings. Your spouse's income does not affect whether you trigger a Trial Work Period, though it may affect other benefits or your Medicare premiums.

What if I earn money from a side gig or freelance work?

Report it the same way you report wages. If you are self-employed, Social Security uses the income test (net profit divided by hours worked). If you are paid as a contractor or 1099 employee, report your gross income and any business expenses or IRWE. Report within 10 days of the end of the month you earned it.

Can I use IRWE for expenses I already paid before I started working?

No. IRWE only covers expenses you pay while you are working. If you bought a wheelchair before you started your job, you cannot count it. If you buy a specialized tool for your job, you can count it starting the month you buy it and use it for work.

What if Social Security says I triggered a Trial Work Period by mistake?

Contact your local Social Security office and ask them to review the month in question. Bring pay stubs, receipts for IRWE, or other proof that your countable earnings were actually below the SGA threshold. If you can show the error, Social Security can correct it and remove that month from your Trial Work Period count.