Can You Work After Being Approved for Social Security Disability, and Is There an Income Limit?

At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, we frequently receive questions from clients who have been approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits about whether they can work and if there are limits on how much they can earn. The Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages beneficiaries to try working through various incentive programs, but there are specific rules and income thresholds you must follow to protect your benefits. Below, we outline the key considerations to help you understand your options.

Understanding Work and SSD Benefits

After being approved for SSD benefits, you may wish to test your ability to work without immediately losing your benefits. The SSA offers work incentive programs to support this transition, but your earnings must be carefully monitored to avoid exceeding the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which could prompt a review of your disability status. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals.

Can You Work After Approval?

Yes, you can work after being approved for SSD benefits, and the SSA provides several programs to help you do so without immediately jeopard your benefits:

1. Trial Work Period (TWP) The TWP allows you to work for up to nine months (not necessarily consecutive) while receiving full SSD benefits, regardless of how much you earn, as long as your medical condition remains disabling. In 2025, a trial work month is triggered if you earn more than $1,110 per month or work more than 80 hours if self-employed. These nine months can occur within a 60-month rolling period. After the TWP ends, the SSA assesses whether your work constitutes SGA.

2. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) After the TWP, you enter a 36-month EPE. During this time, you can receive benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA limit ($1,620 for non-blind individuals in 2025). If your earnings exceed SGA, benefits may be suspended, but you remain eligible to have benefits reinstated if your earnings drop below SGA again within the EPE.

3. Expedited Reinstatement If your benefits stop because your earnings exceed SGA and you later find you cannot continue working due to your disability, you can request expedited reinstatement within five years of your benefits ending. This allows you to restart benefits without filing a new application, provided your medical condition is still disabling.

Income Limits and Reporting Requirements

During the TWP, you can earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits. However, after the TWP, earning above the SGA limit ($1,620 per month for non-blind individuals in 2025) may lead to a suspension of benefits. Key points to consider:

• Earnings Calculation: The SSA counts gross earnings (before taxes) from wages or self-employment toward SGA. Certain disability-related expenses, known as Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs), such as medical equipment or transportation costs, may be deducted from your earnings when determining SGA.

• Mandatory Reporting: You must report any work, changes in earnings, or work-related expenses to the SSA promptly. Failure to do so could result in overpayments, which you may have to repay.

• Unearned Income: Income from sources like investments or spousal support does not count toward SGA, as only earned income from work is considered.

Additional Work Incentives

The SSA offers other programs to support your return to work:

• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs): Disability-related expenses can be deducted from your earnings to reduce countable income.

• Ticket to Work Program: This voluntary program provides vocational rehabilitation, training, and job placement services to help you achieve self-sufficiency.

• Continued Medicare Coverage: If your SSD benefits stop due to work, you may continue receiving Medicare for at least 93 months after the TWP ends.

Consult with an Experienced Attorney

Working while receiving SSD benefits can be complex, with strict rules that must be followed to avoid benefit disruptions. At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, we can guide you through these regulations, help you report earnings correctly, and maximize available work incentives. Before starting work, consult with us to create a plan that safeguards your benefits while allowing you to pursue employment.

Practical Steps to Take

• Report Work Immediately: Notify the SSA as soon as you start or stop working or if your earnings change.

• Keep Records: Maintain detailed documentation of your income and work-related expenses, including receipts for IRWEs.

• Explore Support Programs: Contact the SSA or a Ticket to Work coordinator to learn about employment support services.

• Seek Legal Advice: Work with an SSD attorney to ensure compliance with SSA rules and protect your benefits.

Conclusion

You can work after being approved for Social Security Disability benefits, thanks to SSA programs like the Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility. However, you must stay within income limits after the TWP and report all work to the SSA. At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, we are dedicated to helping you navigate these rules to maintain your benefits while exploring work opportunities. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your options and plan your next steps.