What the Trial Work Period lets you do in 2023

The Trial Work Period (TWP) is a nine-month window during which you can work and earn any amount without losing your SSDI cash benefit. The Social Security Administration counts nine months of work activity — not nine calendar months — so the timeline depends on when you actually work. In 2023, the rules for what counts as a work month and how much you can earn stayed the same as previous years, though the dollar amounts Social Security uses to measure work activity change annually.

During your TWP, you report your work to Social Security, but your benefit continues in full regardless of how much money you make. This is different from the period after your TWP ends, when earnings above a certain threshold reduce or stop your benefit. The TWP is designed to let you test whether you can work without the risk of losing your safety net when ready.

The nine months do not have to be consecutive. If you work in January, take two months off, then work again in April, those are still counted as separate work months toward your nine-month total. Once you have used all nine months, your TWP ends and a different set of rules — the Extended may be able to access Period — takes over.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Trial Work Period lasts nine months of actual work activity, not nine calendar months, so the timeline is different for each person.
  • You can earn any amount during your TWP and keep your full SSDI benefit, but you must report your work to Social Security each month.
  • A work month counts if you earn $240 or more in a calendar month (the 2023 threshold; this amount changes yearly).
  • After your nine months end, the Extended may be able to access Period begins, during which your benefit stops only if you earn above the Substantial Gainful Activity level for that year.
  • You can request a new TWP if you stop working for at least 60 months and later return to work.

How Social Security counts a work month in 2023

Social Security counts a month as a work month if you earn at least $240 in that calendar month. This $240 threshold is set by federal law and adjusted each year; in 2023 it remained $240. The earnings can come from self-employment, wages from an employer, or both combined in the same month.

The key is that Social Security looks at your gross earnings — the money before taxes — not your net take-home pay. If you are self-employed, you report your net profit from self-employment, not your total revenue. If you work for an employer, you report your wages before deductions.

You do not have to work the same amount each month. You could earn $240 in January, $5,000 in February, and $300 in March — all three count as work months. Once you reach nine work months, your TWP ends, even if you continue working.

Reporting your work to Social Security during the TWP

You are required to report your work activity to Social Security each month while you are in your Trial Work Period. You can report by phone, mail, or online through your my Social Security account. Social Security provides a work report form (SSA-821-B4) that you can use, though a straightforward written statement with your name, Social Security number, the month, and your earnings also works.

The important date to report is usually the end of the month following the month you worked. If you worked in January, you should report by the end of February. Missing a report does not end your TWP, but it can delay Social Security's processing and create confusion about whether you are still in your work period.

You do not need to report every paycheck — only your total earnings for each calendar month. If you are paid weekly or biweekly, add up all the paychecks for that month and report the total. Social Security will verify your earnings with your employer or tax records, so the numbers you report should match what your employer has on file.

What happens to your benefit during the Trial Work Period

Your SSDI cash benefit continues in full every month during your TWP, regardless of how much you earn. If your regular monthly benefit is $1,350, you receive $1,350 each month of your TWP, even if you earn $10,000 that month. This is the core protection of the TWP — it removes the financial penalty for trying to work.

Other benefits tied to your SSDI — such as Medicare coverage — also continue without interruption during your TWP. If you have a spouse or children receiving benefits on your record, their benefits continue as well.

The only requirement is that you report your earnings. If you do not report, Social Security may assume you are not working and may not count that month toward your nine-month total, which extends your TWP. Accurate reporting keeps your TWP on track.

When your Trial Work Period ends and what comes next

Your TWP ends the month after you complete your ninth work month. If your ninth work month is June, your TWP ends in July. At that point, the Extended may be able to access Period (EPE) begins and lasts for 36 months. During the EPE, your benefit stops only in months when your earnings exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level for that year.

In 2023, the SGA level for non-blind individuals was $1,470 per month. If you earn $1,470 or less in a month during your EPE, you keep your full benefit. If you earn more than $1,470, your benefit stops for that month. This is very different from the TWP, where there is no earnings limit.

After your 36-month EPE ends, you enter the period of Expedited Reinstatement (EXR), which lasts 60 months. During EXR, if you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA, you can request that your benefit be reinstated without filing a new process or going through a new medical review. This protection exists because Social Security recognizes that returning to work is a process with setbacks.

Requesting a new Trial Work Period

You can request a new TWP if you have been out of work for at least 60 months (five years) and you return to work. The 60-month period is measured from the end of your previous TWP, not from when your benefit actually stopped. If your first TWP ended in July 2018, you could request a new TWP starting in July 2023 or later, as long as you have not worked substantially during those five years.

To request a new TWP, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You will need to explain that you are returning to work after a break and want to start a new nine-month work period. Social Security will review your work history to confirm you meet the 60-month requirement, then restart your TWP counter at zero.

A new TWP gives you another nine months of unlimited earnings protection. This rule exists because Social Security recognizes that people with disabilities may have periods where work is not possible, and they should not be permanently locked out of the TWP benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work full-time during my Trial Work Period?

No. You can work part-time, full-time, or any amount. A work month counts if you earn at least $240 in that month, whether that comes from five hours of work or 40 hours. The TWP is designed to let you test your ability to work at whatever level you can manage.

What if I earn less than $240 in a month — does that month still count?

No. If you earn $200 in a month, that month does not count toward your nine-month total. You can work that month and keep your full benefit, but it does not advance your TWP. Only months with $240 or more in earnings count.

Can I use my Trial Work Period while I am still in the medical review process?

Yes. Your TWP begins the month Social Security approves your SSDI benefit, regardless of whether you are still undergoing periodic reviews. The TWP is part of your benefit package once you are approved.

If I am self-employed, how do I report my earnings during the TWP?

Report your net profit from self-employment each month. If you own a business, subtract your business expenses from your gross revenue and report the remainder. Keep records of your income and expenses so you can verify the numbers if Social Security asks.

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

If you are still within your 60-month Expedited Reinstatement window and you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA, you can request that your benefit be reinstated without a new process. After the 60-month EXR window closes, you would need to file a new SSDI process if your benefit has stopped.