Should You Consider Returning to Work While Receiving Disability?
If you have been out of work due to a serious injury, illness, or disability, and are receiving disability benefits, you may be concerned about your future. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is complicated, and the process of qualifying for benefits was likely not easy and required a lot of careful documentation.
SSDI requires you to have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least twelve months or was expected to end in death, but what if at some point after the twelve months you feel like it might be possible to re-enter the workforce to some extent? Is it possible with your health? Are you risking your benefits if things don’t work out? How can you make this decision without risking your financial future?
Will I Lose My Benefits if I Return to Work?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a lot of complicated rules that go into determining your benefit amount and eligibility, and one of those conditions is that you do not earn over a certain monthly amount. In 2025 the non-blind earning maximum is $1,620.
If you are working and earning $1,620, then those earnings are what is considered to be “substantial gainful activity” (“SGA”) which would make you ineligible for your SSDI benefits.
However, if you are able to do some work, but your earnings are less than what the SSA considers substantial gainful activity, you may still be able to work some and keep some of your SSDI benefits, provided you keep the SSA updated regarding all your work activity.
If you are unable to consistently maintain this work for under six months, work activity may be considered an unsuccessful return to work attempt and your benefits may be unaffected.
SSDI Work Incentive Programs
The SSA has created several incentives that allow individuals who are receiving SSDI benefits to attempt a return to work without risking their benefits. Having the opportunity to test your ability to work without financial consequences is meant to be a safety net.
- Trial Work Periods (TWP)
The Trial Work Period will allow you to work full time for up to 9 months while still receiving your full benefit payment. When you enter the TWP, you will work with the SSA and receive a “Ticket to Work” that will be assigned to an Employment Network. After your 9th month of work, you will make the determination about how you want to or can proceed with a full return. If you are able to keep up with your work and are making more than you would receive in benefits, then you can work with your Employment Network to stop your check so you are not in danger of an overpayment. The important thing to note is that you report your income and keep track of all payments.
If you make it through the trial work period, you may still be unsure about a full-time return, worrying what will happen if you get sick again, your condition worsens, or you are unable to keep up with your work duties. If you’ve gone through the right channels when you returned to work, you will be eligible for an EXR, Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits. Instead of starting the process from the beginning, you can speed up the process and get interim benefits for up to six months while you go through the process.
After your TWP ends, you will enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which is a three-year period where the SSA will evaluate your work and earnings. You will receive your benefits for any month where your earnings are below the SGA amount. This allows you to adjust your return if your medical needs increase without risking your financial security.
Are There Consequences of Not Returning to Work?
It may be hard to make your bills on what you earn on SSDI. You may miss your co-workers and the daily routine that gave you fulfillment. The thought of taking a chance and returning to work can be scary. Even if your medical condition has improved, you may not feel like the worker you were before your disability.
Even if you do not return to work, it is possible you may lose your benefits. The SSA may review your case periodically. If you have improved since initially receiving your benefits and are able to return to work, SSA may decline to continue to pay your SSDI upon review of your medical records.
What Should I Do If I’m Considering Returning to Work?
The biggest mistake you can make is to decide to return to work without going through the proper SSA channels. Many SSDI recipients are concerned that reaching out to the SSA will flag them as someone who should not be receiving disability at all.
If you are considering a return to work, then you may wish to consider speaking with your medical team about your current capabilities. What are your physical limitations? What is the likelihood your medical conditions can withstand daily work?
It is also a smart idea to consult with a disability attorney to discuss returning to work. What happens if your Medicare stops? How will you pay your medical bills? How long is the line to get back on disability if your benefits would be cut off? Will you be insured for SSDI if you return to work if you reapply?
While the thought of returning to work and potentially losing your benefits can be a scary thought. SSA has some safety nets with trial work periods, extended periods of eligibility, and expedited reinstatement if your return to work is unsuccessful.
However, you need to consider your medical limitations, medical insurance coverage needs, and risking your financial future of the SSDi before making your decision to try and work.
This is a decision that should be made carefully by you, your family, and your medical team, but consulting with a lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable about SSDI regulations and claims can give you the extra security you need when facing such a big decision.
If you have been receiving SSDI and are considering a return to work, contact Arthur Law Firm for a free consultation right away at 419-782-9881. We can help guide you toward the right decision that will protect both you and your family as you move forward.