What Happens During Your Trial Work Period

During a Trial Work Period (TWP), you can work and earn money while keeping your full SSDI payment each month. Social Security does not reduce or stop your benefits based on how much you earn during this time. The TWP lasts nine months, but those nine months do not have to be consecutive — they are spread across a rolling 60-month window, so you have up to five years to use them.

The nine months count only the months in which you earn $940 or more (this threshold changes each year; check the current amount on SSA.gov). A month in which you earn less than $940 does not count toward your nine months, even if you work. This means you could work part-time for several years and still have unused trial months remaining.

During the TWP, you report your earnings to Social Security, but the agency takes no action on your case. You continue to receive your full monthly SSDI payment regardless of what you earn. This period is designed to let you test whether you can work without the when ready risk of losing benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Trial Work Period lasts nine months of earnings of $940 or more, spread across any 60-month window, so you do not have to use all nine months consecutively.
  • During the TWP, you keep your full SSDI payment every month no matter how much you earn, and Social Security does not count your work activity against you.
  • You must report your earnings to Social Security each month, and months in which you earn less than $940 do not count toward your nine trial months.
  • After your nine trial months end, the Extended may be able to access Period begins, during which your benefits are reduced or stopped if your earnings exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity level.
  • If you stop working or your earnings drop below the SGA level during Extended may be able to access, your benefits can restart without a new process.

How to Report Your Earnings During the Trial Work Period

You are required to tell Social Security about your work and earnings each month. The easiest way is through my Social Security, the online account portal at ssa.gov. You can log in, go to the "Work" section, and report your monthly earnings directly. Social Security will send you a message confirming receipt.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and report by phone. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Whichever method you use, report as soon as you know your earnings for the month — do not wait until the end of the TWP to catch up on months you missed.

Keep records of your pay stubs, invoices, or other proof of earnings. Social Security may ask you to verify what you reported, and having documentation ready prevents delays or disputes later.

What Counts as Earnings During Your Trial Work Period

Earnings mean money you receive for work you perform. This includes wages from a job, net income from self-employment, and payments for services you provide. It does not include interest, dividends, rental income, or money from investments.

If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit (income minus business expenses) as earnings. If you own a business with a partner, only your share of the net profit counts. Unpaid work — volunteering or helping a family member without pay — does not count as earnings.

The $940 threshold applies to gross earnings (before taxes). If you earn $940 or more in a calendar month, that month counts as one of your nine trial months, even if taxes or deductions bring your take-home pay lower.

What Happens After Your Nine Trial Months End

Once you have used all nine of your trial work months, the Extended may be able to access Period (EEP) begins. This period lasts 36 months. During the EEP, Social Security continues to pay you, but only if your monthly earnings stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level.

The SGA level changes each year. For 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If your earnings in any month during the EEP exceed the SGA level for that month, your benefits stop for that month. You do not lose your benefits permanently — they straightforward pause while you are earning above SGA.

If you continue to earn above SGA for nine consecutive months during the EEP, your case enters Expedited Reinstatement, a separate protection that allows you to restart benefits quickly if your earnings later drop below SGA, without filing a new process.

When Your Benefits Stop and How to Restart Them

Your SSDI benefits stop the first month your earnings exceed the SGA level, whether you are still in the Trial Work Period or in Extended may be able to access. Social Security sends you a notice explaining why your benefits stopped and what you need to do next.

If you are in Extended may be able to access and your earnings drop back below SGA in a later month, your benefits restart automatically the following month. You do not have to file a new process or contact Social Security — the restart happens on its own. Social Security will send you a notice confirming the restart and your new payment date.

If you are no longer in Extended may be able to access (more than 36 months after your trial work period ended) and your benefits have stopped, restarting requires a new process or a request for reinstatement. The rules for reinstatement depend on how long it has been since your benefits stopped, so contact Social Security to learn your options.

Work Incentives That Work Alongside Your Trial Work Period

The Trial Work Period is one of several work incentives Social Security offers. You may also be able to use Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which lets you deduct certain costs related to your disability from your earnings before Social Security counts them. Examples include medications, therapy, transportation to work, or assistive devices you need because of your condition.

Another incentive is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — like education, training, or starting a business — without those amounts counting against your benefits. A PASS is more complex to set up and requires a written plan, but it can protect larger amounts of money than IRWE.

You can use IRWE or PASS at the same time as your Trial Work Period. These incentives reduce the amount of earnings Social Security counts, which can help you stay under the SGA level longer during Extended may be able to access.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your Trial Work Period

The most common mistake is not reporting earnings at all. Some people think that if they do not report, Social Security will not find out. Social Security cross-checks with the IRS and employers, so unreported earnings are discovered eventually — usually when you file taxes. When this happens, Social Security recalculates your case, may demand repayment of benefits you were not may have access to to, and can impose penalties.

Another mistake is assuming that a month with low earnings does not need to be reported. Report every month you work, even if you earn less than $940. Accurate reporting prevents confusion later and keeps your record clear.

A third mistake is not understanding the difference between the Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access. Some people think their benefits are protected indefinitely. They are protected during the TWP, but only for nine months. After that, the SGA limit applies. Know when your nine months end so you can plan for the shift to Extended may be able to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my trial work months all at once or do they have to be spread out?

You can use them however you want within the 60-month window. You could work nine months in a row and use all nine trial months consecutively, or you could work part-time for five years and use one trial month per year. Only months in which you earn $940 or more count, so the timing is flexible.

What if I earn $900 one month and $1,000 the next month?

The month you earn $900 does not count toward your nine trial months. The month you earn $1,000 does count as one trial month. Keep working — you still have eight trial months left to use.

Do I lose my health insurance if my benefits stop during Extended may be able to access?

No. If you lose SSDI benefits because your earnings exceed SGA, you can usually continue your Medicare or Medicaid coverage for a period of time. The rules vary by state and by which program you are on. Contact Social Security or your state Medicaid office to learn how long your coverage continues.

What happens if I go back to work after my Extended may be able to access period ends?

If your benefits have stopped and your Extended may be able to access period (36 months after your trial work period) has ended, you would need to file a new process or request reinstatement. The rules depend on how long it has been since your benefits stopped. Contact Social Security to discuss your specific situation.

Can I use my trial work months while I am in school or training?

Yes. The Trial Work Period counts months based on earnings, not on whether you are in school. If you earn $940 or more in a month while attending classes, that month counts as a trial month. You can combine work and education during this time.