What counts as earnings during your trial work period
During your trial work period, Social Security counts money you earn from work toward a monthly threshold. If you stay under that threshold in a month, Social Security does not count that month against your nine-month trial work period. If you go over it, that month counts as a trial work month, and you move closer to the end of your nine months.
The threshold for 2024 is $1,110 per month. This is the amount Social Security uses to decide whether a work month counts. The threshold changes each year based on national wage averages, so the 2025 amount will be different.
Earnings include wages from a job, net income from self-employment, and royalties. They do not include certain payments like student loans, gifts, or money from selling your home. If you are unsure whether a specific payment counts, contact your local Social Security office before you receive it.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 trial work period threshold is $1,110 per month — if you earn less than this in a month, that month does not count as a trial work month.
- The threshold amount changes each year, so you will need to check the current year's amount when your trial work period spans into 2025 or beyond.
- Only actual earnings count toward the threshold; gifts, loans, and other non-work income do not affect your trial work period.
- You report your earnings to Social Security each month, and they tell you whether each month counted toward your nine-month limit.
How the $1,110 threshold works month by month
Each calendar month during your trial work period stands on its own. If you earn $900 in January, that month does not count. If you earn $1,500 in February, that month counts as one of your nine trial work months, even though you earned more than the threshold.
You do not have to average your earnings across months. A month either counts or it does not, based on what you earned that single month. This means you could earn $500 one month and $2,000 the next month, and only the second month would count toward your nine-month limit.
Social Security tracks which months count and sends you a notice when you have used all nine of your trial work months. After your nine months are up, you enter the extended may be able to access period, where different rules explore.
What happens if you exceed the threshold
If you earn more than $1,110 in a month, that month counts as a trial work month. You still receive your full SSDI payment for that month — the threshold does not reduce your check. The only consequence is that the month counts toward your nine-month limit.
There is no penalty for going over the threshold. Social Security straightforward marks that month as used. You can have months where you earn $5,000 or $10,000, and the result is the same: that month counts as one of your nine.
This is different from the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which applies after your trial work period ends. During the trial work period itself, there is no earnings cap that stops your benefits — only the monthly threshold that determines whether a month counts.
Reporting your earnings to Social Security
You are responsible for telling Social Security how much you earned each month. You can report by phone, mail, or online through your my Social Security account. Most people report monthly so Social Security can track their trial work months accurately.
Keep records of your pay stubs or income statements. Social Security may ask to see them, especially if your earnings are close to the $1,110 threshold or if the amounts vary widely from month to month.
If you do not report your earnings, Social Security may overpay you and later ask you to repay the difference. Reporting on time prevents this problem and keeps your trial work period on track.
When the threshold changes for 2025 and beyond
Social Security announces the new trial work period threshold each October for the following year. The 2024 amount of $1,110 will almost certainly change in 2025. The new amount is based on the national average wage index from two years prior.
If your trial work period spans from 2024 into 2025, you will use the $1,110 threshold for months in 2024 and the new 2025 threshold for months in 2025 and later. Social Security will notify you of the new amount when it takes effect.
You can find the current year's threshold on the Social Security website or by calling your local office. Knowing the threshold for your specific year matters because it determines which months count toward your nine-month limit.
How the trial work period fits into your overall benefits timeline
The trial work period is the first phase after you return to work. During these nine months, you keep your full SSDI payment no matter how much you earn, as long as you report it. The only thing that matters is whether each month's earnings exceed $1,110.
After your nine trial work months end, you move into the extended may be able to access period, which lasts 36 months. During extended may be able to access, different rules explore to your benefits based on your monthly earnings. Understanding where you are in this timeline helps you plan your work and benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my benefits if I earn more than $1,110 in a month?
No. During your trial work period, you keep your full SSDI payment every month, regardless of how much you earn. The $1,110 threshold only determines whether that month counts as one of your nine trial work months. Earning $5,000 in a month has the same effect as earning $1,500 — the month counts, but you still get paid.
What if I earn less than $1,110 every month — do I get extra months?
No. You have exactly nine trial work months, whether you use them quickly or slowly. If you earn under $1,110 every month, your nine-month period could last 18 calendar months or longer. The nine months are based on how many months you exceed the threshold, not on calendar time.
Can I choose which months count as trial work months?
No. Social Security automatically counts any month where you earn more than $1,110. You cannot skip a high-earning month or save your trial work months for later. Each month is counted based on your actual earnings that month.
What if my job pays me in an unusual way, like quarterly bonuses?
Report the earnings for the month you actually receive them. If you get a quarterly bonus in March, that counts as March earnings. If the bonus pushes your March total over $1,110, March counts as a trial work month. Contact Social Security if you have questions about how to report irregular income.
Does self-employment income count the same way as wages?
Yes, but you report net self-employment income, not gross revenue. Net income means what you earn after business expenses. If you run a business and earn $3,000 in gross revenue but have $1,500 in expenses, you report $1,500 as your earnings for that month.