The Safety Net: Can I Try to Work While on Disability?

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 19 of Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. In this episode, we'll dive into The Safety Net: Can I Try to Work While on Disability?.

For many people receiving Social Security Disability benefits, the idea of returning to work can be both hopeful and terrifying. A new treatment may be helping. An opportunity may arise. Or the desire to regain a sense of purpose and independence may become impossible to ignore. But one question often stands in the way: What happens if I try to work and it doesn’t work out? In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, we examine one of the most important work incentives available to Social Security disability beneficiaries: the Trial Work Period. Designed to encourage beneficiaries to test their ability to return to work without immediately losing benefits, the Trial Work Period can provide valuable protection - but only if its rules are properly understood and followed. We discuss how the Trial Work Period works, who qualifies, what counts as a trial work month, and what happens when the Trial Work Period ends. We also explore some of the most common misunderstandings that can lead to overpayments, benefit interruptions, and unexpected problems with Social Security. If you are receiving SSDI benefits and considering a return to work, this episode offers a clearer understanding of how the Trial Work Period is intended to function, and why knowing the rules before you start working can make all the difference.

In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:

One - What Exactly Is the Trial Work Period?

Two - The Magic Number - What Counts as a "Trial Work Month"?

Three - Life After the 9th Month - The Extended Period of Eligibility

Four - A Practical Example: Jane's Journey

Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it.


Listen to Our Sister Podcast:

We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ERISA Claims. Give it a listen: https://wiedisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com


Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

LINK TO YOUR RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/your-rights-to-social-security-disability-benefits

FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/


Need Help Today?:

Need help with your Social Security Disability claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast.

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Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

Transcript

Christy Monaco [00:00:15]:
 Well, you won. You finally have some stability. Your bills are paid. Your health care is secure. Then a thought creeps in. What if I tried to work again? And right behind that thought comes the fear. If I fail, do I lose everything? Today we're talking about the one Social Security rule that can either protect you or completely derail you if you misunderstand it. Welcome back to Winning Isn't Easy.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:00:42]:
 Social Security Disability Benefits, the podcast where we break down everything you need to know about navigating the Social Security system. I'm your host, Christy Monaco. Before we get started, I have to give you a legal disclaimer. This podcast is not legal advice. The Florida Bar association says I have to say this, so I've said it. But nothing prevents me from giving you an easy to understand overview of the Social Security disability claims process, the games that are played during it, and what you need to know to get the disability benefits you deserve. So off we go. In other episodes, we talked about the immediate aftermath of a disability approval.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:01:21]:
 The finances, the healthcare, the continuing disability reviews. It's a period of massive adjustment. But for many, a question remains. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes it's a loud, inconsistent drumbeat. Is this it? Can I ever try to work again? Maybe your condition has improved slightly with a new medication. Maybe a new, less demanding job opportunity has come up. Or maybe you just miss the sense of purpose and community that work provided you.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:01:50]:
 The fear, of course, is that if you try and you fail, you'll be thrown back into the financial abyss and your hard won Social Security disability benefits are gone forever. That's why today we're diving deep into one of the most important and, frankly, confusing work incentives offered by the Social Security Administration. The trial work period. Think of the trial work period or the TWP as a safety net. It's Social Security's way of acknowledging that your path to recovery isn't always a straight line. It's a program designed to let you dip your toes back into the world of work without immediately risking your benefits. But, and this is why we're dedicating an entire episode to it, the rules are incredibly specific. Misunderstanding them can lead to massive overpayments and the termination of your benefits.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:02:40]:
 So for the next 20 minutes, let's unravel the mystery of the trial work period. So let's get started. Today, I'm going to talk about four things. One, what exactly is the trial work period? Two, the magic number, what counts as a trial work month? Three, life after the ninth month, the extended period of eligibility. And four, we're going to give you a practical example of Jane's journey. So let's take a break for a quick moment before we really get into this episode. Foreign. Welcome back to Winning Isn't Easy.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:03:43]:
 Let's start with what exactly is the trial work period? Well, at its core, the trial work period is a nine month period that allows you to test your ability to work and earn an unlimited amount of money without losing your Social Security disability insurance benefits. Let me repeat that because it's the most important sentence in this podcast. During your trial work period, you can earn any amount of money, $2,000 $4,000 in a month and still receive your full SSDI check for that month. Now please note, I said ssdi. Social Security Disability Insurance. So if you're on Supplemental Security Income, this may not apply to you. Now, I know if you're on ssdi, this sounds probably too good to be true, but it's designed to encourage you to try to work. The Social Security Administration knows you won't attempt to work if you're going to lose your only source of income over a one month paycheck.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:04:41]:
 Now here's the first crucial detail. These nine months are not necessarily consecutive. They don't have to be nine months in a row. The Social Security Administration gives you a 60 month window. That's a five year rolling period to use up your nine trial work months. This means you could work for two months, find that it's too much for your health, stop for a year, try again for another three months. You are in control of when you use these months. Once your ninth month is up, your trial work period is over.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:05:17]:
 Let's take a quick break.
 
 Speaker B [00:05:19]:
 Are you considering filing for Social Security disability or has your claim been denied already? Either way, you require a copy of your rights to Social Security disability benefits, which will cover everything you need to know about the Social Security disability claims process. Request your free copy of the book@kvlaw.com today.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:05:54]:
 Welcome back to Winning Isn't Easy. Let's talk about the magic number. What counts as a trial work month? So if you can earn an unlimited amount, how does Social Security even track these nine months? Well, they do it with a services threshold. If your earnings in a given month are above a certain dollar amount, you have performed services and you've officially used up one of your nine trial work months. Now this is different than substantial gainful activity. And so for 2026, the year this podcast is being recorded, that amount is projected to be around $1,210 a month. This number changes every year. So you must check the official Social Security website to get that year's current figure.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:06:41]:
 So let's make this practical. If you work part time and you are 950 in a month, you have not used a trial work month, you get your paycheck, your full SSDI check, and you still have all nine trial work months ahead of you. If you take on a project and you earn $2,500 in a month, you've earned over that $1,210 threshold. You've now officially used one of your nine trial work months. You'll still get your full SSDI check for that month, but you now only have eight months left in your safety net. Now this applies to if you're working for an employer or if you're self employed. For self employment, the calculation is a bit different. Social Security will look at either your net earnings or the number of hours you worked.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:07:25]:
 And self employment rules are a minefield. You must absolutely speak with a benefits expert if you go that route. And the most important rule of it all is you must report your work and earnings to the Social Security Administration every single month. I'll say it again, every single month. I cannot stress this enough. Call them. Use the online portal. Mail in your pay stub, Keep copies of everything.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:07:56]:
 If you don't report your earnings, you are setting yourself up for a potential overpayment where the Social Security Administration comes back years later and demands thousands of dollars be paid back. Be proactive, be honest, and report everything. Take a break. Welcome back to Winning Isn't Easy. I want to talk to you about life after the ninth month. What the extended period of eligibility means. This is where most people get lost. Well, you've used your ninth trial work month.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:08:55]:
 You've proven you can work at least to some degree. Your trial work period is now over. Are your benefits automatically cut off? Short answer is no. This is where the next safety net kicks in. It's called the Extended Period of eligibility, or EPE. The EPE is a 36 month period, three straight years that starts the month right after your trial work period ends. During these 36 months, the rules change completely. The Social Security Administration no longer cares about that 12 $10 services threshold.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:09:31]:
 Now they only care about one thing. Is the work that you're doing considered substantial gainful activity? Substantial gainful activity is the earnings level that Social Security believes demonstrates that you can Support yourself. For 2026, the SGA amount for non blind individuals is projected to be 1690amonth. Again, this number changes annually. One note I want to make is this 1690 $1,690 a month is before taxes. So here's how the EPE works. During those 36 months, any month your gross earnings are below the SGA level, you are due your full SSDI benefits check, no questions asked. Any month your gross earnings are above the SGA level, you are not do a benefit check for that month.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:10:23]:
 This creates a cliff, but it also creates a remarkable safety net. Imagine you work for six months and you earn $2,000 a month. You won't get your SSDI checked for those six months, but then your condition worsens and you have to cut your hours and your earnings drop to only $1,200 a month. Because you're still within that 36 month EPE window, you simply report the lower earnings and your benefits will be reinstated without you having to file a brand new application, which is a huge advantage. There's also a special grace period. The very first time you earn over SGA after your trial work period is finished, the Social Security Administration will pay you for that month plus two more months regardless of your earnings. Think of it as a final three month transition cushion. Let's take a quick break.
 
 Speaker B [00:11:17]:
 Struggling with your Social Security disability case? The right attorney can make all the difference. Get our booklet the key to hiring a great attorney for your Social Security disability case. Discover how to find an experienced attorney who will fight for your rights and navigate the process with ease. Don't leave your future to chance. Request your free copy@kvlaw.com today and ensure you have the expert support you deserve.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:11:58]:
 Welcome back to Winning isn't Easy. I want to give you a practical example. Let's talk about Jane's journey. Meet Jane. She's been on Social Security Disability insurance for three years for severe arthritis. Her doctors find a new medication that helps her. She wants to try working again at her old accounting firm, but only part time. So for the first two months, months one and two, she works about 15 hours a week and earns about $1,800 a month.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:12:27]:
 What's the result of that? Well, that's above the $1,210 trial work threshold. So she just used two of her nine trial work months. She gets her paychecks and her full SSDI checks. Now, months three through six, the work is harder than she thought. She cuts her hours way back and only ends up earning about $900 a month. What's the result of that? Well, Jane is well below the trial work threshold. She uses zero trial work months during this time still has those seven months left. Now, months seven through 13, which is a period of seven months, she feels better again and she goes back to her old hours earning that $1,800 a month.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:13:19]:
 What does this mean? That means she's earning over the $1,210 threshold for seven straight months. Which means she had just used up the remaining seven months of her trial work months. During this time, she would get her SSDI checks and her paychecks. At the end of that 13th month, she would have now used all nine months of her trial work period. That means her trial work period is officially over. On month 14, her 36 month extended period of eligibility begins. She works and she earns $1,800. Well, this is her first month earning over SGA, right? Remember, during the EPE, it goes up to the SGA amount, which is 1690.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:14:11]:
 Because it's her first month, her grace period is triggered, which means she would get her paycheck and her SSDI check. Moving forward to months 15 and 16, she continues to earn the 1800. This is the second and third month of her grace period. Remember, she gets three months of her grace period during the EPE where she gets both her paycheck and her SSDI check. Well, what happens on month 17? She earns that $1,800 again, but her grace period is over and her earnings are above the 1690 SGA. She'll get her $1,800 paycheck, but she will not receive her SSDI check. Her benefits would be in a suspended status. Let's say for the next six months, months 18 to 24, she continues to work and she earns over SGA.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:15:06]:
 Jane doesn't get an SSDI check for those months. Now in month 25, unfortunately, she has a major flare up of her arthritis. Her doctor puts her on reduced hours. She only brings in $1,000 this month. What does this mean? Well, Jane has now fell below substantial gainful activity. She reports this to Social Security. And because she's still in her 36 month EPE window, her SSDI check is reinstated for this month. She doesn't need to file a new application.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:15:39]:
 She doesn't have to go through this process again. And the safety net worked exactly as it should. This process continues for the rest of her 36 month EPE period. If her earnings are over SGA, no check. If they're under SGA, she gets a check. It provides a long stable bridge for her to figure out what her long term work capacity really is. So what's the takeaway from Jane's story? The trial work period and the extended period of eligibility are powerful pro work tools. They are the government's way of saying, we want you to succeed and so we'll give you a safety net to try.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:16:18]:
 But they're not that simple. The single biggest mistake you can make is failing to report your work. The second biggest is not understanding the rules. Before you work a single hour, I urge you to call Social Security, talk to a trained benefits counselor, or consult with an attorney who specializes in this area. Know the rules before you start the game. Winning your disability case was a monumental achievement, but your story doesn't have to end there. The trial work period may just be the key to writing your next chapter. Well, that's all we have today for Winning isn't easy.
 
 Christy Monaco [00:16:52]:
 Thank you all for tuning in. If you found this episode helpful, please take a moment to like our page, leave a review, and share it with your friends and family. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you'll be notified whenever a new episode drops, and we'd also really like to hear from you. At the beginning of each episode description, you'll find a link where you can send us your questions and comments, and we might even feature them in a future episode. So join us next week for an insightful discussion, and thank you for listening.