Thinking about going back to work while receiving SSDI or SSI? It’s normal to have questions.
Will I lose my benefits? What happens if I start earning money? What support can I get?
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Here are some practical steps to help you move forward with confidence.
Start With a Plan That Fits You
If you choose an Employment Network through Ticket to Work, you’ll work together to create an Individual Work Plan (IWP).
This plan should spell out:
Your employment goals
The services and support your provider will offer
The steps you’ll take toward work
Read the plan carefully. Ask questions. Speak up if something doesn’t match your goals.
Your plan should reflect the work you actually want to pursue—not simply the fastest job available.
Understand How Work Could Affect Your Benefits
One of the biggest concerns for people receiving disability benefits is what happens to those benefits when they start working.
The answer depends on whether you receive SSDI, SSI, or both, as well as your circumstances. Other benefits, such as health coverage, may also be affected.
Before accepting a job, consider talking with a benefits counselor who can look at your specific situation.
Some Employment Networks provide benefits counseling. You may also qualify for free, in-depth counseling through a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project.
A benefits counselor can help you understand:
Which work incentives may apply to you
How earnings could affect your benefits
What happens when your earnings change
How work could affect health coverage
What you need to report to Social Security
Know About the Trial Work Period
If you receive SSDI, the Trial Work Period (TWP) can allow you to test your ability to work while continuing to receive your full SSDI payment, provided you remain eligible and report your work activity.
You can have up to nine qualifying trial work months. They don't have to be consecutive; Social Security counts them within a rolling 60-month period.
In 2026, a month in which an employee earns more than $1,210 in gross wages generally counts as a trial work month. Self-employment can be subject to different rules.
The Trial Work Period does not apply to SSI.
Once you use your nine trial work months, different SSDI rules generally come into play.
Many SSDI beneficiaries then enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility. During this period, Social Security looks at your earnings against the applicable Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount, along with other factors, when determining whether SSDI is payable for a particular month.
For 2026, the SGA amount is:
$1,690/month for individuals who are not blind
$2,830/month for individuals who are blind
Other work incentives may help eligible beneficiaries maintain or restart benefits or continue health coverage in certain circumstances.
The important takeaway: don't guess how working will affect your benefits. Get advice based on your specific situation.
Don't Forget Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Some people have disability-related expenses they must pay for themselves in order to work.
These may qualify as Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) under Social Security rules.
When an expense qualifies, it may reduce countable income for SSI or be deducted from gross earnings when Social Security evaluates SGA for SSDI.
Keep your receipts and ask a benefits counselor or Social Security whether an expense qualifies.
Don't assume. Verify.
Ask for the Support You Need
You don't need to have the perfect explanation before asking for a workplace accommodation.
Start with the job—and explain what change would help you perform it successfully.
For example:
“I can handle the customer calls and documentation. A consistent start time would help me do that work reliably.”
You may also request a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process if you need one.
When to discuss accommodations for the job itself is a personal decision. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provides information about disability rights and accommodations under the ADA.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) also offers free, confidential guidance on workplace accommodations.
Keep Good Records From Day One
Once you start working, save your paperwork.
Keep copies of:
Your job offer
Work schedules
Pay stubs
Receipts for potentially qualifying work expenses
Documentation about accommodations
Communications related to your employment
Good records can make reporting your work activity and answering questions much easier later.
And don't disappear from your Employment Network after you get hired.
If your schedule changes, your accommodation isn't working, or the job turns out to be different from what you expected, go back to your provider and revisit your plan.
Sometimes a job isn't the right fit.
That's not failure. It's information you can use to make your next move smarter.
Your Next Step Doesn't Have to Be Huge
Returning to work doesn't always mean accepting a full-time job tomorrow.
Your next step might be:
Applying for a position
Exploring a career path
Asking about accommodations
Meeting with a benefits counselor
Working with an Employment Network
Taking a job to test what works for you
Simply learning more before making a decision
The goal isn't just to get a job. It's to find work that fits your skills, needs, and life.
When you're ready to explore Ticket to Work, Social Security's Find Help tool can help you locate participating service providers.
Take the next step that makes sense for you—and make sure you understand your options before you take it.